Braintree Town

Braintree Town 1-2 Rochdale: Magic Mani Dieseruvwe leaves it late

Last-gasp Rochdale took the National League title race to the final day thanks to Mani Dieseruvwe’s dramatic 99th-minute winner at Braintree Town.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
19 April 2026

Rochdale players celebrate Aidan Barlow’s opener before the stoppage-time pandemonium

By Liam Davis

BRAINTREE TOWN 1
Akinde 90+1

ROCHDALE 2
Barlow 36, Dieseruvwe 90+9
Last-gasp Rochdale took the National League title race to the final day thanks to Mani Dieseruvwe’s dramatic 99th-minute winner at Braintree Town.
The Dale top scorer struck with almost the last kick of the game, just as John Akinde’s 91st-minute equaliser for Braintree looked like handing York City the title.
Aidan Barlow earlier fired Dale into a first-half lead with the dramatic late finish, leaving boss Jimmy McNulty struggling to take it all in.
“I’m lost for words,” the relieved Dale chief said. “Unity ...

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