Photo by Connor Mcleod @sportsby_con

York City secured promotion back to the English Football League in extraordinary fashion on Saturday, drawing 1-1 with Rochdale thanks to a 103rd-minute equaliser from Josh Stones. 

Rochdale looked to have stolen the title when they scored in the 95th minute, sparking a pitch invasion and briefly halting play. But York responded with the final kick of the season, Stones forcing the ball over the line to seal the point needed for promotion.   

After the match, manager Stuart Maynard highlighted the belief within his squad. He said: “Everyone said it this season, ‘York-time’ and there’s a real belief and togetherness in this group of players.”   

He added: “The players are warriors… there is one last chance in us. We’ve done that all year.”   

Match-winner Stones summed up the chaos of the finale, calling it simply: “The maddest ever. Crazy.”   

Despite their success, Maynard also used the moment to back reform of the National League promotion system. “It’s criminal in this league that teams can get over 100 points and not go up,” he said, referencing Rochdale’s 106-point season.   

Both clubs have supported the “three up” campaign, which calls for an additional promotion place to the EFL, and York are expected to continue pushing for those changes despite their own promotion.   

The result ends York’s 10-year absence from the Football League and caps one of the most dramatic finishes in National League history. 

However, it was heartbreak for Rochdale losing in the final kick of the game. They will now have to fight their way through the playoffs to get promotion.

Fortunately for them they get to skip the eliminator play off rounds and go straight to the semi-finals as they will finish in the top 3.

Rochdale will play either Scunthorpe or Southend at home on Sunday for a chance to secure a place in the final. It will be a tough challenge to keep on moving and keeping heads high after a tough weekend.