Key points
- York City and Rochdale finished on the same number of points after a dramatic final‑day match, but York just missed out on automatic promotion.
- Rochdale were ahead in the last moments of the game, but York scored very late to make it 1–1 and sneak promotion thanks to a rule about head‑to‑head results.
- The match has brought back a big debate: should the National League allow three teams to go up to the EFL each season, not just two?
- TalkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan says yes, calling the current system “ridiculous” for clubs chasing 100+ points.
Rochdale (Manchester Mirror)April 28, 2026 – On the final day of the 2025–26 season, York City and Rochdale played a match that almost broke the National League rules. Both teams finished on 106 points, but York City got promoted to the English Football League because of a tie‑breaker rule, while Rochdale were left heartbroken.
How did York just beat Rochdale?
York City knew that even a draw would be enough to earn automatic promotion if they ended on the same points as Rochdale. Rochdale, on the other hand, had to win the game outright to get the automatic spot.
As reported by the Press Association via the Bastille Post, Rochdale thought they had done it when Emmanuel Dieseruvwe scored in the 95th minute to make it 1–0. Fans rushed onto the pitch in celebration, and the game was delayed for six minutes.
But as talkSPORT’s match coverage described, York’s Josh Stones scored in the 103rd minute, just before the game ended. The final score was 1–1, and both teams finished on 106 points. Under the league’s tie‑breaker rules, York went up because of their better head‑to‑head record, sending Rochdale to the play‑offs instead.
Why are people talking about “3UP” now?
Right now, the National League only lets one team go up automatically and gives one more promotion spot through the play‑offs (teams from 2nd to 5th). This is called a “two-up” system.
After both York and Rochdale hit 106 points, many fans and experts are asking: Should the league allow three teams to go up automatically, like the top tiers of the EFL (League One and League Two)?
What did Simon Jordan say?
Simon Jordan, a well‑known football presenter on TalkSPORT, joined the debate. As reported by GhanaSoccerNet, he said it is “ridiculous” that teams can reach 106 points and still only get one automatic promotion spot.
He argued that, if the EFL already uses “three up, three down” in League One and League Two, the same idea should move down to the National League. His point is simple: if the top teams are playing at such a high level, the reward should match that.
What are the arguments for and against 3UP?
Arguments for 3UP (more teams going up):
- It would be fairer to teams that finish on a very high points total, like Rochdale.
- It would reward a full season of strong form, not just a single play‑off final.
- It would make the National League look more like the rest of the EFL, with the same “three up, three down” idea.
Arguments against 3UP:
- Letting more teams into the EFL could mean some clubs are not ready financially or in terms of stadiums and staff.
- Critics say it might lower the quality inside League Two if too many clubs are promoted.
Background: What happened in the 2025–26 season?
York City’s 2025–26 campaign was a big turnaround. At the start, many people were not sure they could finish high enough to even fight for promotion. But in the second half of the season, they started winning and pushing Rochdale hard.
Rochdale, as described in the Bastille Post’s match report, were top of the table for a long time and looked like they would be automatic champions. Their 106‑point season is one of the best in National League history, which makes their last‑minute heartbreak even harder to take.
Over recent years, the National League has become more like a professional league, with big crowds, more money, and more TV attention. That is why the debate about “3UP” has become so strong: the stakes are much higher than before.
Prediction: How could a 3UP system change things?
If the EFL and National League decide to allow three teams to go up automatically, it could change things for different groups.
For fans of top National League clubs, it would mean that a season of 100+ points is less likely to be ruined by one unlucky play‑off match. As Jordan and others say, this would make the league feel fairer and more logical.
For club owners, three‑up could make promotion more of a realistic business goal. Higher TV money and more stable income might follow, but clubs would also have to spend more on players, staff, and stadiums to meet EFL standards.
For TV channels and media, three‑up would mean more teams with a chance of going up late in the season, which means more exciting matches and more stories to follow. That could bring in more viewers and more money, but it could also make qualification battles even more tense and stressful.
For now, Rochdale’s pain and York’s late‑minute escape have turned the 2025–26 National League finale into a big example of why the “3UP” debate is back. The final decision is in the hands of the league’s leaders, but for many fans and experts, this dramatic match has made the case for change stronger than ever.
