YORK City now know all 23 teams they will play in next season’s National League after the season came to its official end on Sunday.
The National League play-off final took place at Wembley Stadium, with Oldham Athletic and Southend United competing for a spot in the Football League alongside already promoted Barnet.
An early error at the back for Oldham saw Manny Monthe poke the ball beyond his own goalkeeper Matthew Hudson, gifting Southend the lead just five minutes in.
It would remain that way until the second-half, but Oldham did have chances, with Mike Fondop missing a one-on-one, Vimal Yoganathan heading wide from close-range, Joe Garner hitting the post and a controversial penalty decision going in Southend’s favour.
An early foul in the second 45 gave the Latics a penalty, which Garner coolly converted to draw Oldham level.
There would be no breakthrough for either side after the end of normal time, seeing the match head into extra-time.
Southend were celebrating again after Leon Chambers-Parillon made it 2-1 just one minute into extra-time, meaning it was the Shrimpers’ game to lose.
Unfortunately for Kevin Maher’s team, a quickfire double scored by James Norwood and Kian Harratt saw Oldham hold on for a 3-2 victory – and subsequently gain promotion into the Football League.
The result means that Southend now complete the 24 teams to compete in the National League for next season.
They will be joined by York, who suffered heartbreak in the play-off semi-final after being bested 3-0 by Oldham at the LNER Community Stadium.
Morecambe are also league newcomers after finishing rock bottom of Sky Bet League Two, accumulating just 36 points from 46 matches under manager Derek Adams.
They were joined by Carlisle United, who have now suffered back-to-back relegations, after ending their campaign on 42 points, seven shy of Newport County.
Coming up from the National League North will be Brackley Town and Scunthorpe United, the former winning the sixth tier title on the final day after hammering David Stockdale’s Farsley Celtic 5-0.
A run of six wins in a row helped Brackley to that accolade, ending multiple years of play-off hurt for a first-ever promotion to the fifth tier after ten years in the National League North.
Scunthorpe return to the National League after two seasons away, having lost out on promotion in the play-offs against Boston United last campaign.
They first defeated Chorley 4-2 in the play-offs this season, before beating Chester 2-1 in the play-off final in front of a crowd of over 10,000.
It was a memorable day for York youngster Mo Fadera too, who assisted the winning goal in his final game of his loan spell with the Iron.
In the National League South, Truro City also celebrated a first-ever promotion to the fifth tier.
Managed by former York boss John Askey, Truro won the title by having just two better goal difference than Torquay United, helped by their 5-2 win over St Albans City on the final day.
Striker Tyler Harvey scored an impressive 27 goals for the Tinners, whilst former City defender Sam Sanders starred at the back for Truro. They will now be York’s furthest away game for the 2025/26 season.
They were joined by Boreham Wood in celebrating promotion, who only missed out on the title by three points.
Boreham Wood return after just one season away, having bested Dorking Wanderers, Torquay and Maidstone United in the play-offs to gain promotion.
Managed by Luke Garrard, they boast former City player Femi Ilesanmi in their squad, who scored both an own goal and a stoppage-time winner in the play-off victory over Dorking.
Leaving the National League will be Dagenham & Redbridge, Maidenhead United, AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet United, who were all relegated.
This campaign’s play-off occupants Forest Green Rovers, Rochdale, FC Halifax Town and Southend will all remain in the fifth tier alongside York for next season.
Gateshead, Altrincham and Tamworth all narrowly missed out on the play-off this season, whilst Hartlepool United, Sutton United, Eastleigh, Solihull Moors, Woking and Aldershot Town all had relatively comfortable campaigns in the middle of the table.
Braintree Town, Yeovil Town, Boston United and Wealdstone celebrated safety, and retained their National League status for another season.
Fixtures are expected to be confirmed at least one month prior to the start of the new season.
