York City secured promotion to League Two after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Josh Stones scored in the 103rd minute to cancel out Emmanuel Dieseruvwe?s injury-time header, ensuring York won the National League title with 108 points and returned to the Football League after five seasons.
Match Report: Chaos at Crown Oil Arena
Rochdale, needing a win to claim automatic promotion, thought they had sealed it when Dieseruvwe headed home a cross from Ian Henderson five minutes into stoppage time. The goal sparked a pitch invasion by home fans, delaying the restart for six minutes. With only six minutes of added time initially signalled, the game resumed in the 103rd minute ? by which point York had thrown 10 players forward.
In a frantic goalmouth scramble, Stones forced the ball over the line, with the goal confirmed after referee Will Finnie consulted his assistant. Another pitch invasion followed, this time by travelling York supporters. Rochdale had earlier come close when Callum Howe headed a Casey Pettit corner against his own crossbar.
National League Playoffs Explained
Only the league champions ? York ? earn automatic promotion from the National League to League Two. Rochdale, who finished second with 106 points, now enter the playoffs alongside four other clubs. Boreham Wood face Forest Green, and Scunthorpe meet Southend United in the quarterfinals. The second- and third-placed teams ? Rochdale and Carlisle ? receive byes to the semifinals, hosting one-legged ties against the quarterfinal winners.
The playoff final will be held at Wembley Stadium, where the victors will claim the second promotion spot to League Two.
York and Rochdale Demand ?3UP? Reform
A day before the match, both clubs issued a joint statement calling for three teams to be promoted from the National League to League Two, labelling the current ?two-up? system an ?injustice?. ?The National League is no longer a non-league competition. It is effectively a League 3,? the statement read, urging the EFL, National League, and Football Regulator to act.
The ?3UP? campaign, launched in February 2025, has gained widespread support. A National League spokesperson confirmed the EFL has formally debated the issue, though implementation requires majority club approval and cross-party agreement.
York?s Long Road Back
Last season, York finished second but lost in the playoffs to Oldham Athletic, who had finished 23 points behind. Co-owner Julie-Anne Uggla previously criticised the system, stating: ?York City... were denied promotion despite finishing 28 points clear of seventh place.? She called the current structure ?no longer fit for purpose?.
Now, York?s perseverance has paid off. They will compete in League Two next season, while Rochdale prepare for another playoff campaign ? and both clubs vow to keep pushing for structural change.