In the end Carlisle United finished nine points clear of the relegation zone but for a side who had been in League One for eight consecutive seasons the threat of a return to non-league football had been all too real at times.
Finally finishing in 20th under Keith Curle, it had looked bleak for the Cumbrians at one stage as they embarked on a run which saw them lose a whopping 12 from 18 through winter and spring.
But an impressive finish which saw just three defeats from 11 steered England’s most northerly league club to safety.
Remarkably - and impressively in equal measure - former England international Curle held onto his job after succeeding Graham Kavanagh on September 19.
Little has gone right for Carlisle in the last couple of seasons but the Cumbrians have admirably stuck to a principle of giving young managers a chance.
Irishman Kavanagh had been in his first top job after retiring in 2011 as a player at Brunton Park. The Dubliner oversaw relegation into the fourth tier but was given the opportunity, without succeeding, to turn things around last season.
Curle, ten years his senior at 51, is only in his fifth managerial post following stints at Mansfield Town, Chester City, Torquay United and Notts County.
A former player with the likes of Wimbledon, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City, Curle won all three of his England caps in 1992 and made more than 700 league appearances during a 24-year professional career.
The Bristolian has overseen a summer of change at Brunton Park with 14 senior players allowed to leave over the summer and a further 12 joining the Cumbrians.
Among that flock of arrivals was experienced striker Jabo Ibehre. The 32-year-old has made a flying start to life with Carlisle, netting nine times in his first eight league and cup outings.
The Islington-born forward began his professional career with Leyton Orient and made more than 200 appearances for the O’s during an eight-year association before moving to Walsall for a solitary season in 2008.
After a brief stop with the Saddlers, Ibehre headed south once more to link up with MK Dons but spent three loan spells away from stadium:mk at Southend United, Stockport County and Colchester United.
Having impressed with the U’s by netting four times in 14 league starts, Ibehre signed on a two-year contract in January 2013 and finished the campaign by being named the club’s Player of the Year, finishing with eight goals from 31 appearances.
He would spent the next two seasons at the Colchester Community Stadium, finishing with 17 goals in 76 outings for the Essex outfit prior to his switch to the north west this summer.
And his impressive start earned him a nomination for August’s Player of the Month, missing out to Leyton Orient playmaker Dean Cox.
Other experienced summer acquisitions include former Bradford City and Rochdale midfielder Jason Kennedy and ex-Mansfield Town and Rotherham United centre-back Michael Raynes.
On the whole, though, Curle’s additions have largely been hungry young players.
Former Queens Park Rangers prospect Angelo Balanta, who scored his only goal of last season for Bristol Rovers in their win against Barnet at the Memorial Stadium, has moved from the West Country.
Whilst at the back, former Tottenham Hotspur prodigy Alexander McQueen has made his first venture into first-team football by moving north.
It has been a mixed start for the Cumbrians, who currently sit two points and two places above the Bees after drawing three of their first five League Two fixtures.
However, a stunning 2-1 win at Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup suggests there is potential be unlocked in this new-look side.
Barnet and Carlisle have not met in league action since 2005 when the Bees ran out 3-1 victors at Brunton Park in August following promotion back to the Football League alongside the Cumbrians the previous seasons.
Goals from Giuliano Grazioli, Nicky Bailey and Dean Sinclair wrapped up the win for Paul Fairclough’s side after Danny Livesey had put the hosts in front.
Barnet have won five of their last nine trips to Carlisle in the league with three in as many visits since October 2000.
Carlisle United XI v Cambridge United (1.09.15): Hanford; Miller, Raines, Grainger, McQueen; Thompson, Dicker, Hery, Sweeney; Balanta, Rigg.
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