York City will play EFL football for the first time in 10 years after Josh Stones 102nd-minute goal earned the visitors the draw they required to pip hosts Rochdale to automatic promotion in an extraordinary final-day National League title decider against a crackling atmosphere at the Crown Oil Arena.Starting two points below York on 105 points, Rochdale thought they had sealed automatic promotion through Emmanuel Dieseruvwes 26th goal of the season in the 95th minute. York who finished second on 96 points last season before missing out in the play-offs looked set for another extended campaign until Stones, who had shot straight at 18-year-old goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff earlier in the second half, changed their destiny and denied Rochdale top spot at the last.National League top scorer Ollie Pearce could not add to his 34 goals for York this season as the meeting between the two best defences in the division ended with delirium for the Minsterman and a place in League two in 2025/26 for Stuart Maynards indomitable promotion winners.The goal was undeniably cruel on Rochdale, who were already unfortunate to have been rivalled this season by a York side somehow capable of eclipsing the spectacular points tally amassed by Jim McNultys team.Rochdale will play Scunthorpe United or Southend United in the play-off semi-finals in May, followed by a potential final against Boreham Wood, Forest Green Rovers or Carlisle United.York can look forward to the release of the League Two fixtures on June 25 (12:00 BST). The start of the 2026/27 fourth-tier season will be on the weekend of August 14. Table of ContentsRochdale team vs York CityYork City team vs RochdaleRochdale team vs York CityRochdale made one change from their 2-1 win at Braintree Town a week earlier, when their winner arrived in the 99th minute through Dieseruvwe.Dan Moss came in for midfielder Aidan Barlow, who put them in front for the first time at Braintree.Rochdale starting XI: Oliver Whatmuff, Kyron Gordon, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Callum Perry, Harvey Gilmour, Devante Rodney, Ryan East, Luke Hannant, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, Daniel MossRochdale substitutes: Casey Pettit, Joe Pritchard, Aidan Barlow, Archie Baptiste, Ed Francis, Tyler Smith, Ian HendersonYork City team vs RochdaleYork were unchanged from their 3-0 win at home to Yeovil Town the previous Saturday.York City starting XI: Harrison Male, Jeff King, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Zak Johnson, Mark Kitching, Alex Hunt, Hiram Boateng, Ben Brookes, Ollie Banks, Ollie Pearce, Josh StonesYork substitutes: Ryan Fallowfield, Callum Howe, Joe Grey, Daniel Batty, Greg Olley, Alex Newby, George Sykes-Kenworthy Topics EFL EFL League Two National League Rochdale A.F.C. York City F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Rochdale v York City: The biggest game in English football this weekend as National League title goes to the wire Jon Fisher 24th April, 2026 Birmingham City 2-0 Wrexham: Report, result, goals as Tom Bradys team win in Championship Ben Miller 12th April, 2026 Championship scores today: Reports, results, goals including EFL highlights Ben Miller 4th April, 2026 Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland: Report, result, goals as Waine goal seals FA Cup shock Ben Miller 8th March, 2026 Leeds United vs Norwich City: Confirmed teams and line ups in FA Cup fifth round 2025/26 Ben Miller 8th March, 2026 Port Vale vs Sunderland: Confirmed teams and line ups in FA Cup fifth round 2025/26 Ben Miller 8th March, 2026
