Report, result, goals as Josh Stones’ goal in the 102nd minute sends the visitors to EFL League Two after a stunning National League title decider.
York City will play EFL football for the first time in 10 years after Josh Stones’ 102nd-minute goal earned the visitors the chance they needed to inspire hosts Rochdale to automatic promotion in the final day’s National League title decider against a sweltering wind at the Crown Oil Arena.
Starting two points behind York on 105 points, Rochdale thought they had automatically gone ahead when striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe headed home his 26th goal of the season from Ian Henderson in the 95th minute.
OH MY VOICE 🤯🤯🤯🤯
YORK EQUAL IN 102 MINUTES TO WIN PROMOTION 😱
Watch LIVE on 📺 pic.twitter.com/GSexKSCwht
– National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) April 25, 2026
York – who finished second on 96 points last season before missing out on the play-offs – were looking to make a comeback until Stones, who shot past 18-year-old goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff early in the second half, changed his fate by pressing the ball over the line to deny Rochdale top spot in the end.
National League top scorer Ollie Pearce was unable to add to his 34 goals for York this season as the meeting between the two best defenses in the division ended in disappointment for the Minsterman and a place in League Two in 2025/26 for Stuart Maynard’s indomitable promotion winners.
Rochdale vs York City: Stones goal seals promotion
Rochdale may have scored the first goal of the game in stoppage time when Callum Howe nodded against his crossbar, and the substitute played a key role in the dramatic end to one of the biggest title deciders of all time.
After Dieseruvwe presented the promise of promotion to a suitably jubilant home crowd, Howe’s brilliant goal against Stones was convincingly cleared by Rochdale, curling the former Wigan Athletic striker’s shot over the line and sending the City players scrambling to their fans to celebrate.
When York were awarded the National League champions 🏆
GO UP! IT’S ON! pic.twitter.com/4yESO1qBtc
– National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) April 25, 2026
The goal was undeniably cruel for Rochdale, who have already been unlucky to be beaten by a York side this season who managed to surpass the impressive points tally collected by Jim McNulty’s side.
Rochdale will play either Scunthorpe United or Southend United in the 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 League Two fixtures on June 25 (12:00 BST). The start of the 2026/27 fourth division season will be on the weekend of August 14.
NATIONAL LEAGUE COACH, YORK CITY 🥳
A day they will remember forever. pic.twitter.com/E07RcuGR7c
– National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) April 25, 2026
Rochdale team vs York City
Rochdale made one change from their 2-1 win at Braintree Town last week, with Dieseruvwe scoring the winner in the 99th minute.
Dan Moss came in for midfielder Aidan Barlow, who put them ahead for the first time in 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 Moss
More places to stay in Rochdale: Casey Pettit, Joe Pritchard, Aidan Barlow, Archie Baptiste, Ed Francis, Tyler Smith, Ian Henderson
York City vs Rochdale team
York were unchanged from their 3-0 home win against Yeovil Town last 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 Stones
York instead of: Ryan Fallowfield, Callum Howe, Joe Grey, Daniel Batty, Greg Olley, Alex Newby, George Sykes-Kenworthy
