York City manager picks rivals for playoff success after winning National League title

York City manager Stuart Maynard is picking National League title rivals Rochdale to achieve promotion via the playoffs following a dramatic final day match at the Crown Oil Arena. 

With two points just separating York and Rochdale at the top of table before kick off, Saturday's match would determine who would seal the only automatic promotion place on offer to the Football League. 

What transpired was a tense and cagey match at Rochdale, with neither team having many clear chances to put themselves ahead, but in the 95th minute, the home side took the lead through a Emmanuel Dieseruvwe header. 

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The most dramatic end to a season ever?

Watch: Rochdale vs York highlights at City go up with 103rd-minute goal

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The game was then delayed as Rochdale fans spilled on to the pitch in celebration, but once the match resumed, York scored an equaliser eight minutes later with Josh Stones' effort being deemed to have gone over the line. 

The 1-1 draw was enough for York to seal promotion, and with both teams finishing the season on over 100 points, the debate has arisen once again as to whether more teams should be given automatic promotion from the National League. 

York City manager 'hopes' Rochdale get promoted in playoffs

Speaking to DAZN amongst the celebrations of York's promotion and title triumph, Maynard praised Rochdale who have kept pace with The Minstermen during a season full of twists and turns. 

When it comes to the playoffs, Maynard is hoping Rochdale can land a place in the Football League next season, and labelled the fact that two teams on over 100 points cannot get promoted is "criminal". 

"I hope Rochdale go up, I really do," Maynard said. 

"I think it’s criminal in this league that two teams on over 100 points, two points per game used to win you a league, the standard’s unreal. 

"Even Carlisle, Mark Hughes, he’s done an incredible job. I think they finished on 95 odd points, it’s crazy.

"We’ve got to enjoy these moments, they don’t happen very often." 

Rochdale will now have to prepare for their playoff semi-final on Sunday, May 3 where they could face either Scunthorpe United or Southend United, but the end to this season in the National League has reignited the 3UP campaign.

This campaign by the National League is an attempt to establish three promotion places into League Two, but an agreement is yet to be struck between the National League and the EFL to make this a reality.

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