York City’s promotion back to the English Football League was sealed in one of the most dramatic finishes the National League has ever witnessed. In a match that saw both sides score in the dying moments, it was York striker Josh Stones who delivered the decisive blow, finding the net 13 minutes into added time to force a 1‑1 draw and clinch the title for his club. The stakes were enormous for both teams.

Rochdale entered the game needing a win to overtake York and claim the league crown, which would also guarantee automatic promotion. The match, played at York’s Crown Oil Arena, was already tense when, just five minutes after the regular 90 minutes had elapsed, Rochdale’s Emmanuel Dieseruvwe rose above the defence to head home a cross supplied by veteran midfielder Ian Henderson.

The goal sparked an immediate pitch invasion by the home supporters, halting play for roughly six minutes while order was restored. Only six minutes of stoppage time had been officially added, yet the drama was far from over.

When play resumed, the clock read 103 minutes. York, throwing virtually the entire squad forward in a desperate push for an equaliser, saw Stones pounce on a chaotic scramble inside the box. He forced the ball over the line with what appeared to be the final kick of the match.

Referee Will Finnie consulted his assistant before confirming the goal, prompting another invasion – this time by the visiting fans who rushed onto the pitch in celebration. Rochdale’s hopes of a swift promotion were not completely extinguished; the club could still pursue a place in the play‑offs.

Earlier in the injury period, York defender Callum Howe inadvertently headed a corner from Casey Pettit onto his own cross‑bar, a moment that might have produced an earlier goal for Rochdale had the ball found the net. York’s triumph marked the culmination of an extraordinary resurgence. After spending five seasons in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, the club amassed 108 points to win the league and secure promotion.

Their journey from the depths of non‑league football back to the EFL underscores a remarkable turnaround in recent years. Speaking after the match, Stones reflected on the emotional roller‑coaster: "If the final whistle had blown at 0‑0, it would have been a tragedy for the league.

I’m over the moon. We earned this as a group – the staff, the fans, everyone.

I love this club and it meant everything to me. I thought it was over, but the lads never say never. Honestly, I hope Rochdale go on and win the playoffs; they’ve been phenomenal.

I missed a chance to keep it 0‑0 and thought if we lost 1‑0 I wouldn’t sleep for days. Now I’m not sleeping for days, but in a good way." York manager Stuart Maynard praised his side’s character, telling DAZN: "Before Rochdale scored it was ‘Rochdale time’; after they scored it became ‘York time’.

There’s a real belief and togetherness in this camp. Look at the fans behind us – when I first arrived I said we all had to be in this together; the players are warriors. When they scored, they came over to the dugout and said there was one more chance for us.

There’s a belief in us that kept us going. Everything went out the window. Everyone pushed forward, we had no one left back.

We kept kicking, then throwing, then kicking again. With this group we know they’ll fight to the end and they deserve it. Look at all these players behind me – they’re incredible, they work tirelessly every day. We’re one big family and I love every single one of them.

I hope Rochdale get promoted. It’s criminal in this league that teams can collect over 100 points and still not go up." The match also featured a brief promotional interlude encouraging fans to download the Sky Sports app for live updates from the Transfer Centre.

Additionally, a Super 6 competition was highlighted, offering a chance to win £250,000 with free entry. In summary, York’s promotion was secured not merely by points accumulated over a season but by an unforgettable final‑minute heroics that epitomised the club’s resilience.

The 1‑1 draw, with goals in the 95th and 103rd minutes, will be remembered as a classic example of football’s capacity for drama, and it ensures York City will compete in the English Football League once again next season.