The BURKS

Rochdale ensured promotion back to the English Football League on penalties after a dramatic National League promotion final against Boreham Wood at Wembley.

Mani Dieseruvwe headed an equaliser in the 97th minute as Dale came from 2-0 down with 13 minutes remaining to force extra-time and on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff was the hero with two shootout saves as they prevailed 3-1 on spot-kicks.

Wood were within seconds of reaching the EFL for the first time in their 78-year history, despite having been beaten home and away by Dale during the regular season and finishing 16 points behind Jimmy McNulty's side.

Fleet-footed Abdul Abdulmalik was the star for the Hertfordshire side, who only came back up via the National League South play-offs 12 months ago, teeing up the opening goal for Matt Rush midway through the first half before curling home through a crowd from a corner halfway through the second period.

Dale sub Tyler Smith set up a grandstand finale with a cool finish as a huge Whatmuff clearance broke to him off Dieseruvwe, who later popped up to head home Casey Pettit's last-gasp cross to keep Dale's dream alive.

Whatmuff was the hero in the shootout, blocking Callum Reynolds' spot-kick and making a stunning one-handed save from Rush before Cameron Coxe hit the underside of the bar with Wood's fourth penalty to spark Dale celebrations.

Dale Lineup

1. Oliver Whatmuff
25. Callum Perry
6. Ethan Ebanks-Landell (c)
2. Kyron Gordon
4. Ryan East (Casey Petit 86')
8. Harvey Gilmour (Ed Francis 91')
12. Luke Hannant (Ian Henderson 75')
14. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling (Sam Beckwith 75')
18. Aiden Barlow (Joe Pritchard 46')
9. Mani Dieseruwve
10. Devante Rodney (Tyler Smith 75')

Scorers: Smith 78'; Dieseruwve 90+7'

Penalties Scorers: Beckwith; Perry; Francis

Manager: Jim McNulty