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Rochdale v York City BBC Radio York This video can not be played Josh Stones' 103rd-minute equaliser for York City sends them back into the Football League after a 10-year absence Emmanuel Dieseruvwe had scored in the 95th minute to break the deadlock for Rochdale The hosts were heading to the National League title and promotion before Stones' late intervention Get Involved via the yellow button below Matthew Cresswell FT: Rochdale 1-1 York City York City boss Stuart Maynard told Dazn after the full-time whistle: "I hope Rochdale go up. It's criminal in this league that teams can get over 100 points and not go up. "Even Carlisle, Mark Hughes, they end up with 95 points. It's crazy. " FT: Rochdale 1-1 York City York City boss Stuart Maynard told DAZN after the full-time whistle: "Everyone said it this season, 'York-time' and there's a real belief and togetherness in this group of players. "The players are warriors. When they [Rochdale] scored, our players came over to the bench and said there is one last chance in us. We've done that all year. "We're one big family. I love all of them. " FT: Rochdale 1-1 York City It really is the hope that kills you. Up the Dale - a devastated fan. Scott, Rochdale FT: Rochdale 1-1 York City York City striker Josh Stones told DAZN after the full-time whistle: "The maddest ever. Crazy. I think when they scored, that's what they've done all season. "For the final game to have ended 0-0, it would have been a travesty for the league. "I can't put it into words. I'm so happy. We deserve it as a group, the staff, the fans. I love the club and that meant everything. "I thought it was over but the boys never say never. If I'm really honest, I hope they [Rochdale] go on and win the play-offs, they've been unbelievable. "I missed a chance at 0-0 and I thought if that was it and we lost 1-0, I wouldn't sleep for days. Now I'm not going to sleep for days, in a good way. " FT: Rochdale 1-1 York Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent This place is in complete disbelief. For a few short minutes, Rochdale were going back to the Football League. Fans around the press box were screaming and hugging. And then. .. the script completely changed and it was York fans who were all over the pitch. No one can quite grasp what they have witnessed - at either end. FT: Rochdale 1-1 York City Can you hear me? ! George Gordon Byron. Can you hear me, Bill Oddie? Can you hear me, Sajid Javid? Can you hear me? YOUR BOYS JUST TOOK ONE HELL OF A BEATING! Tim, York First ever draw that constitutes "a beating"? FT: Rochdale 1-1 York City Dale fans shot themselves in the foot. The pitch invasion allowed York players time to compose themselves. Dale would have won if fans stayed off the pitch Pete, Nottingham FT Rochdale 1-1 York City Unbelievable - how can you not love this sport. What have we just witnessed. York City have earned promotion to the Football League with the very last kick of the season, picking up their 108th point of the campaign, to win the National League title, and take the trophy out of the hands of Rochdale. Fans swarm the pitch - York boss Stuart Maynard takes the congratulations of the travelling Minstermen supporters, as well as players, one of whom is Hiram Boateng, who looks totally overwhelmed by the occasion unsurprisingly. It feels wrong that there had to be a "loser" today with both sides giving everything and offering so much to this match and the season as a whole. Josh Stones is the hero for York, scoring his 18th goal of the National League season, by the smallest of margins with goal line technology needed to intervene. Somehow, somehow, Rochdale end up on 106 points and go into a home semi next Sunday against Southend or Scunthorpe. Josh Stones (90+13 mins) HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN YOUR LIFE. It's pinball in the penalty area - mayhem. The ball is sent in from York and it eventually comes back to Josh Stones who somehow squeezes the ball over the line. The referee checks his watch and the goal is given. It's blocked on the line but the Rochdale defender looked to be well behind the line. "We are going up! " sing the York fans. Rochdale 1-0 York City Emmanuel Dieseruvwe is going to be the answer to a pub quiz. Bonus point for spelling. David, London Rochdale 1-0 York City The kick-off goes into touch. Rochdale throw. Think they might take their time on this one. Rochdale 1-0 York City We are back under way - there must have been at least a six minute delay. Rochdale 1-0 York City The stewards have done an amazing job in clearing the field as quickly as they did. Fans, subs, players, coaching staff all ran on. We still are yet to re-start. Rochdale 1-0 York City Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent I can't believe what I've just witnessed. This game was over, Rochdale had no hope left. And then. .. Football, bloody hell. Fans everywhere, arms aloft, running all over the pitch. And there's still a game to finish! Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (90+5 mins) I DON'T BELIEVE IT. BEDLAM. It's Ian Henderson - the 41-year-old who beats his man and then puts a wonderful cross in with the outside of his right foot. Emmanuel Dieseruvwe is at the back post once more and climbs highest to head home into the top corner - Harrison Male had no chance. Players, fans, stewards on the pitch. No idea how long we'll have long left here. Dieseruvwe is still putting his shirt back on. York need a goal otherwise they are going into the play-offs. Rochdale are set to win the league. Rochdale 0-0 York City We are into the fourth minute of six added on. A cross from the right for Rochdale is too deep and Harrison Male takes an easy catch. York are two minutes away from returning to the Football League after 10 years away. Rochdale 0-0 York City OH MY WORD. Callum Howe, on for York, attempts to head the ball out at the near post from a Rochdale corner but inadvertently hits the underside of his own crossbar. Extraordinary conclusion. Rochdale 0-0 York City We are into SIX minutes of additional time. Rochdale corner. Rochdale 0-0 York City That had to be the moment for York - another superb save by Oliver Whatmuff. Josh Stones is in and finds Greg Olley, just on. Olley dabs his effort and it looks to be heading to the bottom corner but Whatmuff gets down again to save the day for Rochdale. Rochdale 0-0 York City Beautiful delivery from Rochdale's Callum Perry and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe gets there but on the stretch can't direct his header on target. York have just made a change - top goalscorer Ollie Pearce has been withdrawn and Greg Olley is on for the final moments. Josh Stones scored his 18th goal of the season to send York City back into the Football League York have been promoted back into the Football League in the most dramatic of circumstances, scoring in the 13th minute of stoppage time to snatch a 1-1 draw at Rochdale. The National League's top two teams had amassed 212 points between them heading into the final-day showdown, with York needing avoid defeat to secure a return to League Two. It looked like Emmanuel Dieseruwe was Dale's hero, rising at the back post to head home in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The pitch was flooded with fans celebrating what was surely a promotion-winning goal. When the game finally did get under way again, York threw everyone forward and after a scramble in the box Josh Stones slammed the ball towards goal. A defender made a desperate block on the line, but the assistant referee flagged to signal the ball had crossed the line. York City match-winner Josh Stones had missed chances earlier in the game York had enjoyed all the clear-cut chances in the game, with Dale having goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff to thank for a series of good saves. Rochdale started well and they thought they had taken a lead in the eighth minute. Dan Moss rose to meet a cross from the right, and both the ball and York goalkeeper Harrison Male were bundled into the back of the net. But referee Will Finnie blew for a foul. It took 14 minutes for the first effort on goal. Rochdale's Luke Hannant curled a right-footed effort well wide of the target from inside the D. York won a free-kick in the 37th minute after Whatmuff had handled outside the area. Ben Brookes chose to shoot from a tight angle, and his wild effort drew cheers from the home fans. The first real chance came three minutes after half-time when Hiram Boateng sent Josh Stones through, but he could only shoot straight at Whatmuff from an angle. Immediately afterwards, Dale's Moss flashed a shot just wide of the target. York began to look dangerous on the break as Boateng again sent Stones in on goal, once more he could only find the goalkeeper. Rochdale were awarded a free-kick just outside the box in the 72nd minute when Dieseruvwe was barged over. Substitute Aidan Barlow took on the responsibility but could only life his effort over the bar. As time ticked away Ollie Pearce, who stole the ball off Ethan-Ebanks-Landell, fed in Stones who saw his deflected effort brilliantly clawed away by Whatmuff. There was a sniff of a chance for Dale as Dieseruvwe tried to get on the end of a cross from the left, but it was just too high for the striker to reach. York should have ended any lingering nerves in the 90th minute, but Greg Olley saw his effort saved by Whatmuff from point-blank range. Two minutes into added time Rochdale almost got the goal they so desperately needed. A corner was deliver from the left and York's Callum Howe saw his header crash back of his own crossbar. Then came the incredible stoppage-time drama. York City had spent 10 years outside the Football League, including five seasons in the National League North. Now they are back. Rochdale must now pick themselves up and try again in the playoffs. Dale will be back at the Crown Oil Arena for a home semi-final a week on Sunday against Scunthorpe or Southend. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 25th April 2026 at 14: 43 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Jimmy Mc Nulty Formation: 3 - 2 - 4 - 1 Manager: Stuart Maynard Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Jimmy Mc Nulty Formation: 3 - 2 - 4 - 1 Manager: Stuart Maynard Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 To watch and listen, you need to enable Java Script in your browser. Rochdale v York City. 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