York City promoted to Football League after injury-time chaos in title shootout

NAKED PASSION: York City fans celebrate on the pitch at the final whistle after the Enterprise National League match at the Crown Oil Arena, Rochdale. Pic: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire

Josh Stones scored an equaliser 13 minutes into added time that returned York to the Football League – with a dramatic 1-1 draw also featuring an injury-time goal for rivals Rochdale and a number of fan pitch invasions.

Rochdale, needing to win to pip leaders York to the National League title and automatic promotion for themselves at the Crown Oil Arena, scored through Emmanuel Dieseruvwe’s header, itself five minutes after the 90.

He rose to convert a cross from veteran Ian Henderson, sparking a pitch invasion from home supporters that delayed the game for six minutes.

Only six minutes added time had been put on the board but, by the time the game restarted, it was the 103rd minute when York striker Stones equalised, with virtually the last kick of the game.

He forced the ball over the line in a terrific scramble after York threw 10 players forward, a goal confirmed after referee Will Finnie consulted his watch and goal-line technology – sparking another pitch invasion, this time by visiting fans.

Rochdale could still go up in the play-offs and might have scored an earlier injury-time goal when York defender Callum Howe headed Casey Pettit’s corner against his own crossbar.

But, after recording 108 points to win the league, champions York have completed an impressive comeback, after recently spending five seasons in the sixth-tier National League North.