MAYHEM! York City pip Rochdale in English football's craziest ever title finish

York City and Rochdale headed into their final day showdown in the National League with a title race for the ages waiting to be concluded.

Only first place in the top division of England's non-league system earns automatic promotion to the football league, with the teams from second to seventh forced to contest a single-elimination playoff bracket.

York were top on 107 points, two ahead of second-placed Rochdale, who were their hosts at Spotland on Saturday.

What followed will go down in the annals of English football history.

MORE: All you need to know about Rochdale and York's seismic clash

WATCH: York trade stoppage-time goals and pitch invasions with Rochdale to win promotion

An understandably tense encounter remained goalless heading into a stipulated six minutes of stoppage time, at which point all hell broke loose.

Rochdale had already hit the crossbar in the additional period when, in the 95th minute, their top scorer Emmanuel headed home a wonderful floated cross from veteran midfielder Ian Henderson.

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) April 25, 2026

Dieseruvwe's 99th-minute goal at Braintree last weekend set up this all-or-nothing decider, and he tore off his shirt as understandably jubilant Rochdale fans poured onto the pitch, sure that their team had secured a return to the Football League after a three-year absence.

But there was a sting in the tail. After police and stewards took six minutes to clear the playing area, York still had a little time to desperately chase the goal they needed to take back top spot.

In the 103rd minute, Josh Stones – who performed tirelessly in attack and passed up a couple of good chances – hooked a cross into the Rochdale box. It pinballed around and it dropped once again to Stones, whose shot was blocked in the goalmouth. Referee Will Finnie consulted his watch and goalline technology confirmed the ball had crossed the line.

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) April 25, 2026

Cue more bedlam, with York players sprinting in all directions and some of their supporters invading the pitch. The Minstermen's decade-long absence from the Football League was over.

Rochdale next match

As the second-place finishers, Rochdale will enter the six-team playoff at the semifinal stage and face the winner of the quarterfinal between Scunthorpe United and Southend United at Spotland on Sunday, May 3.

Should they progress, they will play either Carlisle United or the winners of the Boreham Wood vs. Forest Green quarterfinal in the May 10 final at Wembley.