With ten games to go in the season, Carlisle lay third in Division Two of the newly-sponsored Canon League. There was a strong possibility of a return to the First Division.

But dreams of games at Anfield, Old Trafford and Goodison Park were shattered as the Cumbrians failed to win any of those remaining games. Instead a mere five points were added as the Cumbrians finished seventh in the table, sixteen points away from a promotion place.

Stokoe had carefully added to the squad by purchasing midfield anchor man Don O'Riordan from Preston North End and he also swooped to sign keeper Dave McKellar from Brentford as he strove to put right the frailties that had been evident in United's first campaign back in the Second Division.

A start of one point and one goal in four games was soon forgotten as United embarked on a record-equalling run of fifteen games without defeat that stretched from October to January. At Brunton Park, the 'mean machine' defence of McKellar, Parker, Rushbury, Haigh and Ashurst did not concede a single goal in any game between August and December.

Although Brighton eventually halted the run on a frost-bound pitch in the New Year, Carlisle did not wobble and they continued to pick up clean sheets and points, culminating in a 3-0 defeat of Charlton Athletic in March. However, the rot then set in. A shocking 4-1 setback at Blackburn Rovers began the slide and failure to defeat lowly Cardiff a fortnight later effectively put the Blues out of the running.

There was a humiliating 5-1 defeat to come at Newcastle before the season ended in heavy anti-climax. Over Christmas, the same Newcastle outfit, boasting Keegan, Beardsley, McDermott and Waddle had been defeated 3-1 at Brunton Park before a huge crowd of over 14,000. Elsewhere, gates were disappointing and overall, it seemed the general public did not share in the belief that promotion was realistic.