 The Metropolitan League title was won for the second and final time in 1968–69 when the club reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history; 3,000 spectators saw the Blues hold Third Division leaders Bournemouth to a goalless home draw at Kings Road, in a match covered by Anglia Television, but the replay at Dean Court was lost 3–0.The 1970–71 season was the club's last in the Metropolitan League when they finished as runners-up and also lifted the Suffolk Premier Cup for the eighth occasion.In 1971 the club switched to the Southern League but poor results prompted a return to the Eastern Counties League in 1976.