Rochdale vs York match halted by pitch invasion earlier than controversial title deciding aim
York City clinched the National League title in dramatic fashion, scoring a controversial equaliser in the 103rd minute against Rochdale in a match that descended into chaos, with two pitch invasions and a disputed goal
Josh Stones scores the all important title winning goal for York City against Rochdale.
York City netted an astonishing 103rd-minute leveller to clinch the National League crown in a breathtaking finale to their winner-takes-all showdown with Rochdale.
The Minstermen were within touching distance of the trophy as stoppage time approached at the Crown Oil Arena, needing just a draw to secure promotion. Yet as the minutes ticked away, the match erupted into complete pandemonium. Mani Dieseruvwe struck a superb header in the 96th minute for Rochdale, triggering mayhem and a pitch invasion.
Victory for Dale would have seen them crowned champions, and they believed they’d discovered the crucial strike. Experienced striker Ian Henderson emerged from the substitutes’ bench to conjure a moment of brilliance.
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The 40 year old whipped the ball towards the far post with the outside of his boot, and Dieseruvwe climbed above everyone to thump a header beyond York City goalkeeper Harrison Male, reports the Mirror.
Rochdale fans flooded onto the turf to celebrate what they assumed would be the championship. But they may have cost their team with their irresponsible and premature celebrations.
Following a five-minute delay, supporters were ushered off the pitch and the action continued. York then threw bodies forward and bagged an extraordinary equaliser in the 103rd through Josh Stones, to capture the title in spectacular style.
Callum Howe’s header was cleared off the line, before Stones forced it in. There were doubts over whether the ball had crossed the line, with York players insisting they’d grabbed the winner, but the officials awarded the goal.
The travelling away supporters piled onto the pitch and there was utter pandemonium as York players, staff and fans celebrated wildly on the sidelines.
Fans online mocked Rochdale supporters for their pitch invasion and premature celebrations. One fan wrote on X: “They pitch invaded which added more time for York to score.” Another said: “Invading before FT has no doubt cost them the league.” Another said: “Pitch invasion to then concede is a generational stinker.”
Rochdale and York had released a joint statement on Friday calling for a restructure of the league format to allow the top two sides to be automatically promoted, labelling the decision not to automatically promote the team that finishes second an ‘injustice’.
Dale will now have to try and secure their spot in League Two via the playoffs. The teams that finish second and third in the National League enter the playoffs at the semi-final stage, while the teams that finish fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh must win an eliminator to qualify for the semi-final.
They will face the winner of Scunthorpe vs Southend in the semi-final, with the final set to take place at Wembley on Sunday, May 10.
