Ollie Pearce goal secures maximum points for York at Rochdale

York City tasted victory on the ground where they secured promotion from the National League last season as Ollie Pearce’s goal gave them a 1-0 win at the Crown Oil Arena.

Rochdale started brightly, with Dajaune Brown’s header cleared off the line by Harry Boyes six minutes in.

On the stroke of half-time, Glenn Middleton was presented with a one-on-one opportunity only for York goalkeeper Alfie McNally to read his attempted dink finish and collect the ball comfortably.

In between, the Minstermen had the better of the opening 45 minutes as Hiram Boateng’s effort deflected narrowly wide and Alex Hunt’s rising drive from 20 yards thumped an upright.

McNally had to scramble across his goalline to save Brown’s 50th-minute header, and within five minutes the visitors had the lead when Pearce pounced and diverted the ball beyond Sam Waller and into the net.

Aden Flint saw an 80th-minute header cleared off the line as Rochdale threatened an equaliser before McNally denied Ian Henderson and Ryan East as York resisted late home pressure.