York City's Unbelievable Comeback Secures Promotion in Dramatic Fashion, 2026

York City's Josh Stones scored in the 13th minute of stoppage time to snatch a draw and promotion from Rochdale in a dramatic National League title decider.

Title Decider Drama Ensues If ever a match was destined to be decided by an almost incomprehensible level of drama in stoppage time, it was this one. The National League title fight has been about theatre and late goals from both Rochdale and York City. Two teams who refused to lie down. Two teams showing a never-say-die attitude in their desperation to secure promotion back to the Football League. And so, of course, it was settled in the same way. Not once, but twice. Rochdale had needed a 99th-minute Emmanuel Dieseruvwe goal at Braintree last week to even take the title race to the final day. And when he headed home against York five minutes into added time, the race looked to be won. Home fans flooded the pitch, running around in utter jubilation. This was their day. Until it wasn't. ## York's Dramatic Equalizer Seals Promotion Six minutes had been added on initially, but the game was delayed for some time while the pitch was cleared. York threw men forward and Josh Stones, who had missed a glut of chances, slammed the ball home in a goalmouth scramble to snatch a draw - and promotion - in the 13th minute of added time. Once again, the pitch was flooded. But this time the fans wore red. Rochdale's players sank to the floor. Their race was run. ## Tension Runs High Before Kick-Off You could feel the tension in the air before kick-off. Not aggression, but apprehension about what was to come. A season of hard work coming down to this. The two teams had amassed a staggering 212 points between them - and their meeting on the final day had long looked like a title decider. York went into the game with a two-point cushion. They could afford to draw. Rochdale had to win. ## Supporters' Views on the Title Decider Dale supporters had been filing into the Ratcliffe - the club's pub, attached to the ground - since the doors opened at 10am. "I'm terrified," said Elliott Mathieson, searching through his phone to find the tickets he'd booked for his group of friends. "I think we're gonna lose. The nerves are so bad I've tried to put it out my mind, because if I think it about too much, I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat. Promotion would be massive.. monumental." York had won the previous two meetings between the sides - 4-1 in the league on their own ground, and 2-1 here in the FA Cup. But their supporters did not feel confident either. "I've been to some big games, but nothing has ever felt like this before," said Graham Fair. "It feels so important because if we lose, I don't think we'd do it in the play-offs because of the pressure and the disappointment." ## The Final Moments of the Match The Crown Oil Arena erupted. Hundreds of fans flooded on to the pitch in ecstasy, zigzagging around, arms aloft. People in the stands were hugging and screaming into each other's faces. Eventually, after several minutes, the pitch was cleared for the game to resume. York threw just about everyone into attack. A cavalry charge with just seconds left. And there - in the right place at the right time - was Stones. Tyler Smith made a despairing dive to try to block the shot but the assistant referee raised his flag immediately to signal the goal. "York are going up, ole, ole," sang the supporters as the players danced in front of them.