[1][2] On 7 August touring English Second Division side Carlisle United visited Boghead and after an entertaining game Dumbarton ran out 3–2 winners.
[3][4] Despite losing to Berwick Rangers midweek at Sheilfield by the same score,[5][6] a 4–1 home win over Airdrie on 19 August[7][8] put things back on track.
The win was not without its issues as new signing John Cushley suffered a broken cheekbone, which would keep him out for a number of weeks, with Roy McCormack joining him on the injury list with a bruised ankle.
Nonetheless two draws were subsequently earned – 2–2 against Berwick at home[9][10] and 1–1 against Hearts at Tynecastle[11][12] – and although the final qualifying tie against Airdrie at Broomfield on 30 August was lost 2–1,[13][14] the 6 points gained was sufficient to go forward to the knock out stages.
The new confidence appeared to be continuing as Dumbarton led 1–0 at halftime, but a second half fight back meant the Dons left with both points after a 2–1 win.
[23][24] The bad news continued through the weekend as it was announced that ace striker Kenny Wilson had been transferred to Carlisle United for a club record fee of £40,000.
Kenny had signed from St Johnstone on a free transfer in July 1970 and had scored 87 goals in 101 appearances – his departure created a huge void which would be difficult to fill.
And that was only too evident in the following league match on 30 September against Arbroath where the lack of an effective front man meant Dumbarton could only manage a 0–0 draw.
[25][26] The top of the league at the end of September looked busy with no fewer than four teams with 8 points – Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United.
The departure of Kenny Wilson ensured that the Dumbarton management team were on the search for a suitable replacement, and an offer was made to Crystal Palace for the former Lisbon Lion Willie Wallace.
[31][32] On 21 October, it was a trip to Broomfield in a league game against Airdrie, and it was '3-for-3' for young McAdam together with a Roy McCormack double that snatched both points in a 3–2 win.
[35][36] On 30 October Dumbarton played Alloa in a Stirlingshire Cup tie and won easily 4-2 – with that man McAdam notching his fifth goal in five games.
A week after the Rangers game, Dumbarton faced the other half of the Old Firm at Boghead, but this time there was no question as to the outcome as Celtic outclassed the Sons from the start and ran out 6–1 victors.
[47][48] The following week Motherwell visited Boghead and in a game which turned into a pantomime due to the state of the pitch, skills were at a premium and a 0–0 draw was probably a fair result.
[49][50] On the day before Christmas Eve, it was a visit to Tannadice and at half time Dundee United appeared to be giving their presents early as Dumbarton led by 2 own goals to 1.
On 20 January Dumbarton visited Gayfield to face Arbroath in the league and in a game spoiled by the blustery wing it was the home team who came out on top 2–1.
[57][58] The final game of January saw the return of Jackie Stewart to Boghead with his new team St Johnstone and despite having most of the play Dumbarton could only manage a 1–1 draw.
[65][66] With relegation worries prominent, Dumbarton made a double signing on 15 February, with Ross Mathie coming from Kilmarnock and Brian Heron from Motherwell for an estimated total fee of £25,000.
As Alex Wright officially took over the manager's position, next up on 3 March was Hibernian at Easter Road in the league and the home team made no mistake handing out a 5–0 thrashing.
Four days later Dumbarton were at Cappielow to play Morton in the league and with a brave second half comeback managed to secure a vital point in a 1–1 draw.
So it was that Dumbarton entered into the final league match on 28 April at Boghead against Dundee United knowing that they had to better any result gained by Kilmarnock.