A mid-season managerial change and the emergence of a precocious star were among the main features of Carlisle United’s 1979/80 season, their third consecutive campaign in the Third Division after sliding from their mid-seventies heights.

Bob Moncur, who had taken charge from Dick Young three years earlier, had led the Blues into the season but subsequently left for Hearts in February. That left assistant Martin Harvey in caretaker charge and by the time Plymouth visited in late March, Carlisle had lifted themselves comfortably into the top half.

The top spots were not particularly within reach but United were unbeaten in six when Argyle made the long trip north.

Brunton Park was, at that stage, also enjoying the exploits of a 19-year-old Peter Beardsley. He had been signed by Moncur and by March 22 had six league goals to his name. Confronted with relegation-threatened Plymouth, the young prospect gave further evidence of his rich potential.

Brunton Park survived overnight snow in Cumbria and United were also boosted by the availability of midfielder Steve Ludlam after a knee injury. Yet it was Bobby Saxton’s visitors who were the more impressive, leaving Carlisle reliant on a break or two in order to extend their run.

United lacked creativity, suffering for the departure of Phil Bonnyman to Chesterfield, and perhaps their sense of uncertainty also came from the continued absence at the back of defensive stalwart Bobby Parker, sidelined with an abdominal problem.

The first half saw the Cumbrians devoid of ideas and Argyle took control of the game in the middle of the park. They too, though, struggled to create chances and when opportunities did come, their finishing was below par.

John Sims should have done better when robbing Ian MacDonald, but fired straight at Trevor Swinburne, while the United keeper did well to tip over a powerfully-struck Brian Bason free-kick.

Plymouth were made to pay for these futile attempts when, seven minutes from the break, Beardsley announced himself on the contest.

Showing a speed of thought that put him ahead of many in the third tier, the young attacker received the ball from Jim Hamilton and suddenly sped past two Plymouth defenders.

He then made the opportunity count with an angled, left-footed shot which beat keeper Geoff Crudgington inside his far post.

Kevin Hodges went close in reply for the Devon outfit before United enjoyed a better spell early in the second half. This saw Beardsley skim a shot wide while fellow frontman Paul Bannon offered an unorthodox threat.

Things drifted on, though, without any great inspiration and while the reliable Swinburne produced a fine save to turn a Sims shot against the post, there was otherwise little sense that the game would produce more goals.

In the closing stages, though, it did. First, Bannon appeared to have secured the points in the 89th minute when the Dubliner reached a George McVitie corner that sub Andy Collins had flicked on.

He poked home his 16th of the season, and it was a good thing that he did, for Plymouth immediately shot back, and a few anxious moments were generated when Mike Trusson rose unmarked to head home a Sims cross.

United, though, held on for a 2-1 win from which their better individual performances had come from Tot Winstanley and Keith Houghton at the back – and, of course, the thrilling Beardsley.

Harvey was not blind to his side’s flaws. “There were so many things wrong with our play that I wouldn’t have time to analyse them all,” he said.

“We had a bad day. The players realise they didn’t do themselves justice. Obviously I was delighted with the result but you want to please the fans and we failed in that respect.”

Despite this, Carlisle’s unbeaten run continued with a victory at Sheffield United and their directors gave Harvey the job permanently. The Blues had sought to keep their options open and felt rewarded when Harvey led them to a creditable sixth-placed finish.

Beardsley notched nine goals in his maiden professional campaign, and lasted longer at the club than Harvey. A poor start to the following campaign rendered the former Northern Ireland international’s tenure short-lived, as the Blues brought Bob Stokoe back for a second spell.

Harvey later teamed up with Moncur at Plymouth, while Beardsley was a key man in 1980/1 before being snapped up by Vancouver Whitecaps: another step on his road to the top.

United: Swinburne, Hoolickin, MacDonald, Winstanley, McCartney, Houghton, Ludlam, Hamilton (Collins), McVitie, Beardsley, Bannon.

Plymouth: Crudgington, James, Foster, Phillipson-Masters, Harrison, Trusson, Randell, Bason, Graves (Hodges), Sims, Johnson.

Crowd: 3,611.