And that's a wrap: National League season in review after Rochdale clinch final promotion spot

The dust has barely settled after Rochdale's dramatic National League play-off final win over Boreham Wood, but it is already time to look back on what has been a scintillating season.

In what may go down as the best fifth-tier campaign in history, there was a final-day title decider, a play-off final penalty shootout, as well as an enthralling relegation battle.

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Relive the National League play-off final drama as Rochdale clinch promotion on penalties

Watch Boreham Wood vs. Rochdale highlights

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DAZN has brought you the National League live and exclusively throughout the season and will continue to do so next term with an even beefier offering.

So, how did the season unfold? Here, DAZN News analyses the craziest campaign in memory.

York City clinch National League title and promotion on incredible final day

You simply could not write this storyline. After 45 matches, the National League title race went down to the death as York City and Rochdale, separated by just two points before kick-off, faced off in a winner-takes-all decider.

With only one automatic promotion place available, it seemed rather cruel that the two sides, who had accumulated north of 100 points each, should have their fate decided in such circumstances.

The Minstermen entered the clash at the Crown Oil Arena with the upper hand as they only needed a draw to secure promotion to the Football League.

It had been a title race full of twists and turns, with Rochdale leading the race with games in hand in February, only to succumb to the pressure and gift York the advantage heading into the final game.

Indeed, the pair delivered what can only be described as the most dramatic end to a season in history, as Rochdale's Emmanuel Dieseruvwe bagged a stoppage-time goal, triggering a pitch invasion, only for another giant swing of the pendulum.

Of course, we should have known that was not it, as in the 113th minute, Josh Stones bundled the ball over the line to equalise, ensuing another pitch invasion as Stewart Maynard's side secured a 1-1 draw and with it promotion to League Two.

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Rochdale clinch promotion after play-off final drama

After the heartbreak of their final-day draw with York, Jimmy McNulty's side had to dust themselves down with haste and go again in the play-offs.

Having finished in second, Dale entered the lottery in the semi-finals, where they edged out Scunthorpe United 2-1 on home soil to set up a trip to Wembley Stadium.

It was there they faced Boreham Wood, who overcame Forest Green Rovers and Carlisle United, to reach the home of football, having finished the campaign in fourth position.

For Rochdale, they were aiming to return to the Football League after a two-year absence, which included the club rallying from the brink of near liquidation.

Boreham Wood, on the other hand, were striving to reach the EFL for the first time in their 78-year history under the stewardship of manager Garrard, who has been at the club for more than a decade.

It was the Wood who started the contest in fine fettle, going ahead in the 22nd minute through top scorer Matt Rush before Abdul Abdulmalik netted a second with Garrard's side 2-0 up with just 12 minutes to go.

Dale, though, has a history of scoring late, late goals, and when Tyler Smith found the back of the net in the 78th minute, you just had a feeling they would find an equaliser before the final whistle.

Indeed, their late goal specialist Emmanuel Dieseruvwe found the all-important goal in the 97th minute to send the clash to extra time, where it ended two apiece.

Rochdale shot-stopper Oliver Whatmuff, on loan from Premier League champions Manchester City, was the hero as he saved twice from Callum Reynolds and Rush before Cameron Coxe's effort hit the underside of the bar.

It was McNulty's men who clinched victory on penalties, winning 3-1, joining York in League Two next season.

Brackley Town, Morecambe, Braintree Town and Truro City suffer relegation

The relegation battle may not have gone down to the final day of the season, but it was almost as gripping as it went down to the final few weeks of the campaign.

Truro City, who were playing in the fifth tier for the first time in their 137-year history, were doomed for some time despite clinching some memorable results, including wins over Halifax Town and Morecambe.

In what must go down as one of the greatest escapes ever witnessed, Gateshead, who went a remarkable 16 games without victory, flipped the narrative by accumulating 34 points from their final 17 matches to secure safety with games to spare.

Braintree Town's woeful end-of-season form dragged them into the relegation zone, with the Iron unable to win any of their last 11 contests.

As for Morecambe, they did show signs of life but left things too late in what can only be described as a calamitous campaign amid takeover controversy and the sacking of Ashvir Singh Johal.

Then there was Brackley Town, who were dragged into a relegation dogfight after they were unable to find a win in any of their last 16 league meetings, sending them immediately back to the sixth tier.

Individual honours

While the official awards, including the Player of the Season award, are not revealed until June 6, some of the individual accolades are already known.

York City's Ollie Pierce, who won the Golden Boot award last term with 30 goals, will win the honour again this year, having eclipsed last season's total with 34 National League goals.

At the opposite end of the pitch, it will be Pearce's teammate, Harrison Male, who will clinch the Golden Glove, having kept 19 clean sheets across the campaign.

The other awards available include Manager of the Season, Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season and Team of the Season.

Which teams will play in the National League next season?

Harrogate Town and Barrow will both return to the National League next term, having been relegated from League 2 this season.

They will be joined by AFC Fylde, who were the runaway winners in the National League North, as well as Kidderminster Harriers, who clinched promotion via the play-offs.

From the National League South, both Worthing and Hornchurch earned promotion and will play in the fifth tier for the first time in their respective histories.

They will all compete against the 18 remaining clubs who maintained their National League status for another campaign.

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