York City return to EFL with incredible 103rd minute equaliser to break Rochdale hearts

Lewis Henderson
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:44:21 +0000

York City have completed a remarkable return to the EFL after a decade in non-league football, snatching a 1-1 draw at Rochdale with an equaliser in the 103rd minute.

Josh Stones struck the decisive goal, ending the club's 10-year exile from League Two in the most extraordinary fashion imaginable.

The two sides entered the final day of the National League season having accumulated a combined 212 points, with York requiring just a single point to clinch automatic promotion.

What followed was one of the most dramatic conclusions to a football match in recent memory.

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Emmanuel Dieseruvwe appeared to have sealed promotion for the hosts when he rose at the far post to head home with five minutes of added time played.

Supporters flooded onto the pitch in celebration of what seemed certain to be the winning goal.

Yet, when play eventually resumed, York committed every player forward in desperation.

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A chaotic scramble ensued inside the penalty area, with Stones firing the ball goalwards.

A Rochdale defender threw himself into the path of the shot, making contact on the line, but the assistant referee's flag went up to indicate the ball had crossed over.

Fans flooded the pitch as scenes of jubilation unfolded to mark the incredible moment.

Throughout the contest, York had created the clearer openings, with Rochdale stopper Oliver Whatmuff producing a string of impressive saves to keep his side in contention.

The hosts believed they had taken an early lead in the eighth minute when Dan Moss headed home, taking both ball and York keeper Harrison Male into the net, only for referee Will Finnie to rule it out for a foul.

Stones was twice denied by Whatmuff after being played through by Hiram Boateng, while Greg Olley somehow saw his close-range effort kept out in the 90th minute.

York's promotion ends a wilderness period that saw the club spend a full decade outside the Football League, with five of those seasons spent in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

The Minstermen can now look forward to League Two football next season.

For Rochdale, the disappointment must be quickly set aside as they prepare for the playoffs.

Dale will host either Scunthorpe or Southend in a semi-final at the Crown Oil Arena a week on Sunday, as they seek an alternative route back to the Football League.