Rochdale promoted to the Football League after Wembley penalty shootout win

Sunday, 10 May 2026 18:20

By Adam Clark

Credit: David Murphy / Roch Valley Radio

Rochdale are back in the Football League after beating Boreham Wood on penalties at Wembley following a dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time.

Jimmy McNulty’s side won the shootout 3-1 after recovering from two goals down in the National League Promotion Final.

Dale were making only their third appearance at the national stadium as they aimed to end a three year absence from the Football League.

Rochdale finished second in the National League with 106 points, missing automatic promotion on the final day of the season after York City secured the title.

Boreham Wood made the brighter start and forced Oliver Whatmuff into an early save from Leon Ayinde inside the opening minutes.

The breakthrough came in the first half when Abdul Abdulmalik’s cross into the area fell kindly for Matt Rush, who bundled the ball home from close range to give Boreham Wood the lead.

Abdulmalik continued to cause problems for the Rochdale defence and forced another strong save from Whatmuff before the break.

Dale nearly responded when Devante Rodney delivered a cross for Mani Dieseruvwe, whose header drifted wide.

Rochdale went into half time trailing 1-0 with McNulty making changes early in the second half as Joe Pritchard replaced Aidan Barlow.

Boreham Wood continued to threaten and almost doubled their lead when Abdulmalik struck himself with a low finish to make it 2-0.

Rochdale responded with a triple substitution as Ian Henderson, Tyler Smith and Beckwith were introduced.

The changes sparked Dale into life and Smith pulled a goal back after reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box.

With six minutes of added time announced, Rochdale pushed forward searching for an equaliser.

The leveller finally arrived deep into stoppage time, with Dieseruvwe having the last Dale touch, sparking celebrations among the supporters behind the goal and taking the final into extra time.

Neither side could find a winner during the additional 30 minutes, although Rochdale came closest late on when a chance was cleared off the line.

The match went to penalties in front of the Boreham Wood supporters.

Whatmuff became the hero of the shootout, saving efforts from Reynolds and Rush before Coxe missed the decisive kick.

Beckwith, Francis and Perry all converted for Rochdale as the club secured promotion back to League Two.

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