However, that season saw them finish second-from-bottom in the league, resulting in relegation to Division One. The following season saw them promoted in third place, but they were relegated again in 1968–69. However, a second immediate return to the top division was secured when they won Division One in 1969–70. Bedford were relegated again at the end of the 1973–74 season, but won Division One North at the first attempt to return to the Premier Division, also reaching the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, eventually losing 6–2 on aggregate to Scarborough. The club had continued to apply for Football League membership every season between 1965 and 1973, and after a hiatus in 1974, made their eighteenth and final bid for Football League membership in 1975, but were again unsuccessful, leaving them with the second-highest number of unsuccessful applications after Yeovil Town. An FA Cup first round appearance in 1975–76 resulted in defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in a second replay. The 1977–78 season resulted in another relegation to Division One North. League reorganisation in 1979 saw them placed in the Midland Division. They reached the first round of the FA Cup for a thirteenth time in 1981–82, losing 2–0 at Wimbledon. However, the club was disbanded at the end of the season after their lease at Queens Park was terminated and a planned new stadium at Barkers Lane fell through.