The BURKS

York City climbed to within three points of the top of the National League table with a resounding 4-1 win at home to promotion rivals Rochdale.

Dale were themselves looking to go top of the league and they responded well to Ollie Pearce's 35th-minute opener as Tobi Adebayo-Rowling rifled in an equaliser four minutes later.

But in the second half the home side took control. They regained the lead less than a minute after the interval, striker Josh Stones winning the ball inside the Rochdale half and driving goalwards before finishing well.

Stones got his second from inside the box to give his team a two-goal cushion three minutes later, and Pearce added York's fourth goal in 14 explosive second-half minutes to move them up to fifth.

Dale Lineup

1. Oliver Whatmuff
33. Sam Beckwith
6. Ethan Ebanks-Landell (c)
2. Kyron Gordon
30. Kevin Berkoe (Tarryn Allarakhia 60')
4. Ryan East
8. Harvey Gilmour (Casey Pettit 60)
14. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling
10. Devante Rodney (Aiden Barlow 75')
9. Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (Ian Henderson 75')
38.Tyron Smith (Connor McBride 38')

Scorer: Adebayo-Rowling (39')

Manager: Jim McNulty