Mike Newell was given the job on a permanent basis after assistant manager Stuart Watkiss briefly took control of first-team affairs.

Manager Alan Buckley included utilised his first team squad in the games against Corby, Oldham and Gainsborough, while a weakened side took a 5–1 drubbing by Eastwood Town.

Brentford made a return to League One as champions, the second club to win the fourth tier three times since Doncaster Rovers.

Exeter won their second successive promotion, and on the final day of the season managed to pip Wycombe Wanderers for the runners-up spot.

Bournemouth also suffered a 17-point deduction pre-season, and halfway through it looked to be enough to cost them their League status; however, a fightback under new manager Eddie Howe saw them climb to safety and secure survival with a game to spare.