Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty has slammed the National League’s promotion system after his side suffered final-day heartbreak.The Dale missed out on a place in the Football League last Saturday after York City scored a 103rd-minute equaliser to clinch both the league title and the league’s only automatic promotion spot.York pulled off one of the most dramatic final-day promotions after Josh Stones’ 103rd minute equaliser at RochdaleGettyIn a winner-takes-all clash, Rochdale headed in on an incredible 105 points, two fewer than York, meaning they had to win to go up.And it looked as though McNulty’s side had stolen first place when Emmanuel Dieseruvwe put them in front in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time.However, Josh Stones equalised for York at the death with a scrappy goal that the linesman judged to have narrowly crossed the line.The Rochdale fans, who had only just ended their pitch invasion, were therefore dealt a cruel blow on their home turf.View Tweet: https://t.co/aKlc5L65t7Time for change?The final-day only increased calls for a third promotion spot in the National League, with both teams releasing a joint statement advocating for this before the dramatic decider.As it stands, only two teams are promoted to League Two – whoever finishes first are joined by the play-off winners.With both Rochdale and York finishing up with over 100 points, many believe the runners-up shouldn’t have to enter the play-offs.‘The final straw’Dale manager McNulty, who was left too distraught to carry out his post-match media duties against York, has now passionately called for a third promotion place.Discussing the final-day drama on Friday’s talkSPORT Breakfast, alongside Jeff Stelling who has vocalised his support for the 3UP campaign, McNulty said: “I think it might be the final straw, I do. “The system’s archaic, as we’ve discussed with you guys and anywhere else that we could in the build up to that particular game that brought so much attention.” GettyRochdale initially thought they had won promotion when they struck on 95 minutes[/caption]Jimmy McNulty’s side will once again go for promotion in the play-offs this weekendGettyAfter their final-day heartache, Rochdale will go for promotion at the second time of asking on Sunday, when they take on Scunthorpe in their play-off semi-final.And while McNulty is desperate for his side to go up to League Two, he revealed his hope that recent events will inspire a bigger change.He continued: “I’m hoping that that will be the greatest victory out of all. Not York winning the league.“Hopefully we go through the playoffs, but hopefully the victory obtained is that enough attention has been brought to a situation that it needs change. “It’s morally incorrect, I think, based on how this league has moved on in the number of years since the ruling was in place about the number of promotion places. York made sure to soak up every drop of champagneGetty“And there’s a lot of talk about it, which we’ve got a lot of gratitude for and happy that we played our part in.“I really do believe it could be the moment.”Rochdale aren’t the only side in recent years to miss out on automatic promotion after racking up over 100 points.In 2023, Wrexham and Notts County finished the season on 111 and 107 points respectively, with the Welsh side going up automatic and County making it via the play-offs.Meanwhile, York ended last season on 96 points, six behind champions Barnet, before losing in the play-off semi-finals.