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York win National League title with 103rd minute equaliser after Rochdale scored in 95th minute

Extraordinary scenes as York City win the National League title with a 103rd minute equaliser after Rochdale scored in the 95th minute.

Going into the game, Stuart Maynard’s York City were on 107 points, needing a draw to win the title and a return to League Two after 10 seasons away, while victory for Jimmy McNulty’s Rochdale, on 105 points, would see them leapfrog the Minstermen and take win it on the final day.

Best chance of the first half saw Ollie Pearce his effort brilliantly kept out by Rochdale defender Ethan Banks-Landell, who put in a strong showing.

In the second half York’s Josh Stones really should have made it 1-0. A one on one, but sent his effort straight at Oliver Whatmuff in the Rochdale goal.

Following a cracking save by Oliver Whatmuff, stopping Greg Olley from scoring on 89 minutes, Rochdale then went and struck the woodwork, York’s Callum Howe tried to header the ball out at the near post only for it to come back off the underside of his own crossbar.

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.

Then, you couldn’t make it up. In the fifth of six added minutes, 41 year old Ian Henderson who hadn’t long been on the pitch, got ahead of his man, sent a cross in and there was Emmanuel Dieseruwe to head into the top corner. Players, fans, stewards on the pitch halted the game.

Have you ever seen anything quite like this though. In the 103rd minute, the ball was sent in from York and it came to Josh Stones who somehow got the ball over the line. The referee checked his watch awarded the goal after it looked to have been blocked on the line by the Rochdale defender.

York City boss Stuart Maynard told DAZN, as per BBC Sport’s live blog:

“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.

“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.”

York City win promotion to the English Football League with the very last kick of the season, 108 points. Rochdale finish on 106 points.

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.”

Here’s the fan reaction as York win the National League title with a 103rd minute equaliser after Rochdale scored in the 95th minute…

@capewell_oliver: Been going to York games all my life with them being my local team, from terrible football with an old run down stadium, almost relegation just a couple years ago to promotion to the football league like THAT. Absolutely incredible #YCFC

@RyanDeeney2194: York City have dropped 24 points over 42 league matches. They’ve pummelled plenty. They’ve played numerous off the park. When they had to tighten up, they did. When they needed late goals, they found them. Congratulations, York City. #YCFC

@JaniCPFC: The day after I leave this great city, they finally achieve what’s deserved and have a football league side again. Congrats to the Ugglas, Maynard, the whole squad, can’t say it’s not merited. Town will be mayhem tonight, and for good reason. Up the bastard Minstermen #YCFC

@RDebenham: What a team, what a squad, what an off the field group, what a fanbase. I love everyone involved with York. First league win since 1984 when I was 8. On my Tod in Hong Kong but going to raise a glass to this amazing season winning the league. @YorkCityFC #ycfc #champions

@rocknrollnobody: We may never see this kind of season ever again. 108pts, 114 goals, and a final day decider that changed hands twice after 90mins. It’s truly been a generation-defining season. For all those who went before, and all those who may come after, let it be known. WE. ARE. YORK #YCFC

@wbaaa7: ahahah the pitch invaders must feel like absolute idiots.

@Al_F_Brown13: Fucking get in, there is a god! Unbelievable character from the boys yet again, these lads never ever stop! Im crying, i have no idea what to do with myself. We are going up! #YCFC

@Iamniallo: @matt_uggla @UgglaAnne29485 thank you thank you thank you. I don’t know what else to say. You made us dream, you achieved the dream. Now let’s make those dreams bigger. We. Are. Champions. #YCFC

@Kieran3williams: This will be a story for the history books on why you don’t pitch invade before the full-time whistle. Killed Rochdale’s momentum, and opened the door for York to snatch the title back. Feel for the players and the fans wanted the game to end #rafc #ycfc

@chrisjbaines22: I hope everyone who ran onto the pitch is happy, completely ruined our momentum. we played so well, let’s go win the playoffs fucking come on!!!!!

@scottjh85: Fans cost you there. It was yours until they invaded the pitch

@TheStig1997825: Honestly no gloating to do. You were fantastic all season and equally worthy champions and I sincerely hope you join us in league two next year

@NastyMcAngry: Sorry but need to blame your fans for that. If they hadn’t run on the pitch then the game would have been over before York scored. The extra added time killed you.

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