1976-77 Season - May

After the humiliating defeat at home to Arsenal ended United's 11 game unbeaten run Dinnis decided to go on the defensive at Filbert Street.

With Gowling out injured Dickie made his attentions very clear by drafting in an extra defender in the shape of Blackhall. There was also a return for John Bird who got off his perch to replace the injured Nattrass.

A woeful performance and a meek surrender of the points was the end result.

Portman Road was the next venue as United took on 3rd placed Ipswich who still had an outside chance of winning the Championship.

It was a much improved performance and in the first period United had the better chances to open the scoring.

Ipswich's extra class told in the second 45 and goals from an unmarked Osbourne [52nd] and Wark [75th] after the home team broke quickly from a Newcastle corner gave the Suffolkites a vital victory.

With three defeats in a row and no goals in the bag UEFA Cup hopes were in the balance.

League Cup winners Aston Villa were one point and one place behind The Magpies, but they had two games in hand and were the top scorers in the division. It was a classic match which started in pulsating fashion.

With only 50 seconds on the clock Brian Little intercepted an underhit back pass from Nattrass and opened the scoring for the visitors.

Within 4 minutes United were level when Cannell bulletted a header past future United custodian John Burridge. Then on 16 minuted Graham Oates had a short spell as hero when he blasted home a left-footer from 25 yards to put Newcastle ahead.

When Cannell cleverly flicked in Tommy Craig's low corner in the 24th minute the crowd was going mental.

Undeterred The Valiants fought back and created numerous chances. Nattrass had to leave early and United were hanging on.

With 16 minutes left another defensive lapse - this time from McCaffery - let in Little again but United held out to record a victory which guaranteed a UEFA Cup slot.

The SJP faithful, obviously high on delirium, refused to leave the terraces until their heroic manager returned. "We want Dinnis" and "Dinnis for manager" they chanted and when he finally appeared he was chaired around arms aloft"

With his mini contract now at an end Dickie stated "I think I have done enough to have earned the job".

The last game of the season saw David Craig and John Bird getting rare run-outs against a mid-table Everton.

It was distinctly end of season fare as Dinnis took on his mentor for the first time and it was a comfortable victory for the Merseysiders.