 In the event, the game was far more difficult than expected, with England only managing a 2–0 victory, with goals from Charlie Sagar and Harry Johnson, who were also both making their international debut.For the next season, Cunliffe returned to New Brighton Tower, where he made a further 28 league appearances with nine goals.He scored all three goals in an FA Cup intermediate round match at Port Vale on 5 January 1901.