For the fourth time in five seasons, Carlisle narrowly avoided relegation. This time 22nd place was just one place above the drop zone, as this was the first season in which two clubs were relegated to the Conference instead of just one. The writing was on the wall for Carlisle after they suffered 18 of their first 21 Division Three matches. Manager Paul Simpson did all he could to salvage something from the next twenty five fixtures, however could not quite achieve safety - 40 points from a possible 75 were effectively rendered meaningless due to Carlisle's appalling first half of the season. Had they performed as well during the first half of the campaign as they did during the second, then they would have featured in the push for a playoff place. Carlisle returned to the Football League at the first time of asking by winning the Conference National promotion playoffs. Carlisle's great form under Paul Simpson progressed as they returned to the Football League with a bang, clinching the Division Three title. Simpson then left for local rivals Preston North End, and was succeeded by Neil McDonald.