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Their day, until it wasn't - the title decider that had it all
TL;DR
The National League title race culminated in dramatic stoppage time goals, showcasing the fierce competition between Rochdale and York City. Rochdale's last-minute goal allowed them to extend the title fight to the final day.
Key points
- National League title race featured dramatic late goals
- Rochdale and York City showed a never-say-die attitude
- Rochdale needed a 99th-minute goal to extend the title fight
- The match was filled with incomprehensible drama
Mentioned in this story
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe
National LeagueRochdaleYork City
If ever a match was destined to be decided by almost incomprehensible drama in stoppage time, it was this one.
The National League title fight has been all 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.
Six minutes had been added on initially, but the game was delayed for some time while the pitch was cleared.
And, incredibly, the race was not over.
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.
'If I think it about too much, I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat'
You could feel the tension in the air before kick-off. Not aggression, but apprehension about what 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.
It was the perfect day for it. Sun shining, fans making their way to the Crown Oil Arena with their blue and red shirts proudly on display.
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."
Q&A
What happened in the National League title race?
The title race featured dramatic late goals, with Rochdale and York City both fighting for promotion.
How did Rochdale extend the title race to the final day?
Rochdale scored a crucial 99th-minute goal from Emmanuel Dieseruvwe against Braintree.
What teams were involved in the National League title drama?
The teams involved were Rochdale and York City, both vying for promotion back to the Football League.
What was the significance of stoppage time in the match?
Stoppage time was critical as it featured multiple late goals that ultimately decided the title race.
