Rochdale manager ‘devastated’ and misses media duties after National League heartbreak

Jimmy McNulty did not conduct any post-match media duties after his Rochdale side dramatically lost to York City.

The National League promotion decider went down to the final day on Saturday, where a 1-1 draw sent York into League Two.

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Rochdale went into the match on an incredible 105 points, two fewer than York, meaning they had to win to go up.

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe looked to have sensationally won it for them in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time.

However, Josh Stones equalised for York at the death with a scrappy goal that the linesman judged to have narrowly crossed the line.

The Rochdale fans, who had only just ended their pitch invasion, were therefore dealt a cruel blow on their home turf.

They can still gain promotion to League Two via the play-offs, but it was a huge missed opportunity to get the job done.

So much so that manager McNulty chose not to speak to any media after the match, with talkSPORT told he’s ‘absolutely devastated’.

Despair for Rochdale, ecstasy for York

When Stones scored the promotion-clinching equaliser for York, it was their fans’ turn to invade the pitch in wild celebratory scenes.

The Minstermen will return to the English Football League following a ten-year absence.

Stuart Maynard, who only took charge last summer after a spell at Notts County, was delighted with the determination from his team.

“York-time as everyone has been calling it all season!” he told talkSPORT afterwards.

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“Look, we’ve got a group of players who are warriors, they go all the way to the end. There’s players outside the squad today, Joe Felix, Morgan (Williams) and Craig Hewitt, they’ve all been a big part.

“We said it when we first came in, it’s not the starting XI, it’s the whole squad, they’ve been incredible.”

When asked about what if felt like after Dieseruvwe scored for Rochdale, he said: “Callum Howe, the skipper, came over to me and he said, ‘Gaffer, there’s one more chance for us’.

“We’ve believed all season. Your heart’s broken, it got broken last week when we were winning 3-0 (against Yeovil Town), Braintree equalised (against Rochdale) and then Rochdale scored so late on.

“So when they scored late on, you think that’s it, but we’ve got a group that keep going, they’re a group of winners, and their mentality is unreal.”

Maynard also reflected on the controversial goal from Stones but, when asked if it went over the line, he insisted: “I don’t care!”

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Call for change

Before Saturday’s dramatic match, Rochdale and York released a joint statement calling for a third promotion spot in the National League.

As it stands, only two teams are promoted to League Two – whoever finishes first are joined by the play-off winners.

York ended the 2024/25 season on 96 points, six behind champions Barnet, but missed out on promotion in the play-off semi-finals.

With over 100 points won by Rochdale and York before the final day, they believe the runners-up shouldn’t have to go into the play-offs.

“We call on the National League, Football Regulator, EFL and Premier League to come together immediately and resolve this issue, so that we do not have to highlight this injustice year after year,” they said.

Rochdale are joined by Carlisle United, Boreham Wood, Scunthorpe United, Southend United and Forest Green Rovers in the play-offs.

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