York City boss Stuart Maynard on his Minstermen 'warriors' plus Josh Stones on being the promotion hero at Rochdale
JOYOUS York City manager Stuart Maynard savoured his side's incredible return to the EFL following a scarcely-believable finale at Rochdale - but expressed his sympathy for the hosts, who are now destined for the play-offs after the battle for the National League title and promotion went down to the dying seconds at Spotland.
Mani Dieseruvwe looked like breaking York hearts for the second successive weekend - he netted a winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time seven days earlier at Braintree to take the championship and automatic promotion race to a final-day decider at Spotland.
His 26th goal of the campaign was a few minutes earlier, in the 95th minute to be precise, but it looked like knocking York off top spot, with just one automatic promotion place open in the National League.
Dale's delirious followers invaded the pitch and it took several minutes to clear before play restarted, with Josh Stones drawing the Minstermen level in staggering fashion to book a ticket back to the EFL after a decade-long absence.
It was City's 36th goal in the final quarter of games in 2025-26 and 16th in stoppage-time.
While understandably thrilled at developments, Maynard spared a thought for Rochdale and hit out once again at the promotion system which allows just one club to go up automatically.
Maynard said: "I hope Rochdale go up. It's criminal in this league that teams can get over 100 points and not go up.
"Even Carlisle, Mark Hughes, they end up with 95 points. It's crazy."
"Everyone said it this season, 'York-time' and there's a real belief and togetherness in this group of players.
"The players are warriors. When they (Rochdale) scored, our players came over to the bench and said there is one last chance in us. We've done that all year.
"We're one big family. I love all of them."
Goal hero Stones, who spurned several chances before his golden moment, added: "It's the maddest ever. Crazy. I think when they scored, that's what they've done all season. "For the final game to have ended 0-0, it would have been a travesty for the league. "I can't put it into words. I'm so happy. We deserve it as a group, the staff, the fans. I love the club and that meant everything.
“I was taking all that sh*t from their fans (after the pitch invasion when Rochdale scored). Coming up to my face. It’s nice to give it them back. "I thought it was over but the boys never say never. If I'm really honest, I hope they (Rochdale) go on and win the play-offs, they've been unbelievable. "I missed a chance at 0-0 and I thought if that was it and we lost 1-0, I wouldn't sleep for days. Now I'm not going to sleep for days, in a good way.
I was taking all that shit from their fans. Coming up to my face. Nice to give it them back