This season’s fight for the automatic promotion spots in the National League was one of the most compelling and exciting in recent years. York City sealed automatic promotion with a stoppage-time goal from Josh Stones against rivals Rochdale on the last day of the season.
While there was delirium among York fans, the goal brought heartbreak for Dale fans, as the prospect of EFL football disappeared in the blink of an eye.
A good argument for two automatic promotion spots
The 1-1 draw against York meant that Rochdale finished the regular season two points behind the Minstermen. However, their total of 106 points was an impressive feat and a good argument for two teams winning promotion automatically.
York missed out on automatic promotion last season, finishing second place, six points adrift of champions Barnet, having accrued 98 points.
Both seasons showed that these title races are close, with a fine margin between success and failure. The runner-up, despite how many points they get in the regular season, doesn’t always go up via the play-offs.
Rochdale have done it the hard way
The north west outfit earned promotion the hard way for sure. Having defeated Scunthorpe United 2-1 in the play-off semi-final, they looked set for heartbreak in the final against Boreham Wood.
They were two goals down by the 69th minute of the final. However, Tyler Smith got Dale back in the game with 12 minutes to go. Deep into stoppage time, with hope seemingly lost, striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe found the net to send the game into extra time.
The game remained level after extra time, and Rochdale finally sealed promotion back to the EFL courtesy of a 3-1 penalty shootout victory. It was nothing more than they deserved for such a stellar campaign.
Back in the EFL next season
Rochdale have spent most of their recent history in the EFL. However, relegation to the National League in 2023 saw them return to the non-league game for the first time since the 1920’s. The club were even in League One as recently as 2021.
They are now back where they will feel they belong after just three seasons. Judging by the performances of many newly promoted teams in the EFL from the National League in recent years, Dale should make a far better fist of life in English football’s fourth tier in season 2026/27.
Also, if this season’s campaign is anything to go by, then they won’t be returning to the National League any time soon.