Matters came to a head in 1998-99. Tait's team were struggling, and even the signing of ex England International Peter Beardsley could not change the club's fortunes. Tait was sacked in January 1999, and Chris Turner was appointed; despite being four points adrift at the bottom of the League at Easter, Turner was able to stop the club being relegated.

Under Turner, matters improved remarkably. In 1999-2000 they finished in the playoffs, and in fact qualified for them for the following two years as well - though on each occasion they were defeated in the Semi-Finals.