Taylor steered United to a mid-table finish in their first season back in the basement division. The following season, he was awarded a testimonial game against Leeds United to recognise 10 years service to the club. Disappointment was just around the corner however. League form had been poor and Taylor himself had been forced to put his boots back on following the controversial sale of star striker Dave Kitson to Reading. The club's board were concerned that the club could be relegated from the Football League and made the decision to sack Taylor in March 2004, finally ending his long association with the club.