 Yet on 28 March they started a club-record streak of twelve home games without a win that would continue into the following season.Encouragement came from the youth side, who reached the Quarter Finals of the FA Youth Cup.With four games to go, Vale were one point clear of the drop, however by losing all of their remaining games the "Valiants" ended the 1977–78 season in 21st place and were relegated into the Fourth Division.