He was released by Manchester City in August 2005 on a free transfer and joined Darlington, where he became a regular in the team, making 34 league and cup appearances in the 2005–06 season. However, after starting only twice in the 2006–07 season, he joined Bradford City on a one-month loan in January 2007, where he made four appearances. He returned to Darlington but was released in the summer of 2007, having made 49 league and cup appearances for the club.