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Had York not gone into freefall, and Carlisle not taken so long to kick-start their season, then Scunthorpe United could have been facing the end of a 54-year stint in the Football League.
Iron manager Brian Laws, who first took the managerial position at the club over seven years ago, was disappointed the season ended on a negative note but has already turned his thoughts to next season.
Cleveland Taylor and Steve Torpey are the first players to commit themsleves to the club next season, with veteran winger Peter Beagrie expected to sign in the next few days.
They have signed one-year deals, with an option to extend them a further season.
Laws will sit down with the other nine players who are out of contract on Monday morning to tell them whether they will be at Glanford Park next season.
He has said that some will not be offered new deals, but insists that this summer the door marked `entrance` will be much busier than the one marked `exit`.
He said: "We are disappointed not to finish with a win which was something we wanted to do for our supporters. The players are physically and mentally drained.
"We have been nervous and defensively shocking at times.
"We shall be keeping a nucleus of the players for many of them are young and have a lot to learn, but there are areas to be strengthened.
"I want to strengthen the backbone of the defence, and bring in a goalkeeper to put some pressure on Tommy Evans.
"Steve Torpey and Cleveland Taylor have put pen to paper and there will be a few more who will follow."
Darlington manager David Hodgson was also keen to put a disappointing season behind him.
He said: "I'm pleased with the win and now the only way is up and we are looking forward to next season.
"I would like to thank our fans for our magnificent support this season and especially the 800-plus who backed us today."