Relegated Portsmouth began life back down in the Second Division well, winning their first three league games consecutively. Alan Ball remained as Portsmouth manager until January 1989, curiously leaving the club when they were in the top six and still looking like good bets for promotion back to the First Division. Jim Gregory then appointed John Gregory (no relation) as Portsmouth's new manager, but their form in the final months of the 1988–89 season was disastrous and they slumped to 20th place in the final table. Gregory left during 1989–90 and Frank Burrows returned for a second spell. Initially, he was able to stabilize the club and secure a mid-table finish, but the 1990–91 season proved to be a poor one and Burrows was sacked in March 1991 with the club in serious danger of relegation. Some good form under caretaker manager Tony Barton was enough to secure safety for another season, although he declined to take up the job on a permanent basis owing to health concerns.