Why English club need two points instead of three to guarantee promotion in rare scenario

An English club need just two points to secure promotion this season - but scoring three points could see them miss out in an unusual scenario.

The race for promotion across all English divisions is hotting up as the final matches of the season approach.

Perhaps no race has been as fiercely contested as at the top of the National League, where York City and Rochdale are battling it out.

York currently sit top with two games to play, having scored a staggering 110 goals and picked up 104 points.

They are coached by former midfielder Stuart Maynard, who gained plaudits for his work with fellow fifth-tier side Wealdstone before earning the managerial job at Notts County, whom he guided to the League Two play-offs last season before being sacked.

Rochdale, in contrast, are coached by their former defender Jim McNulty, who took his side to the National League play-off semi-finals last season.

Both sides are shining pieces of evidence in the argument for two teams to gain automatic promotion to League Two instead of the current system, which only allows one.

But for this season, the existing system remains - meaning one of York or Rochdale will have to contest the play-offs.

York have a two-point advantage over Rochdale with two games left to play, with the two teams set to face each other at Rochdale's Spotland in a mouth-watering final-day fixture.

That means that York can all but secure promotion by picking up two draws from their final two matches, given their far superior goal difference.

But if they pick up three points at home to Yeovil on Saturday, and Rochdale match their result, they can be overhauled by McNulty's side on the final day of the season.

York's squad has contributed goals from all over the pitch, with six players having scored at least seven goals this season.

Their top scorer is captain Ollie Pearce, who has struck on 33 occasions this season.

Fellow striker Josh Stones, formerly of Wigan, has netted 15 goals, while Alex Hunt has nine goals from midfield.

The Minstermen have scored three or more goals in 21 of their 44 National League matches.

They have capitalised on Rochdale's recent faltering form, with the Lancashire side having won three of their last seven matches.

That included a shock 4-2 home defeat to Morecambe, who were relegated to the National League North last weekend after being thrashed 5-1 by Jermain Defoe's Woking.

The final day of the 2025/26 National League season takes place on April 25, with Rochdale versus York City kicking off at 12:30pm on DAZN.