Mazara experienced a period of decline. It was relegated to the Promozione (7th-ranked division) in 2003–2004 after losing relegation playoffs to Licata. With a new property, the club returned to Eccellenza in 2005–2006 under coach Filippo Cavataio, a native of Mazara and a former centre back of several Serie C teams. In 2006–2007, the club, again coached by Cavataio, ended the regular season phase in third place, behind Alcamo and Carini. They were admitted to the promotion playoff semifinal, where they eliminated Kamarat (from Cammarata) in a one-legged semifinal after a 0–0 tie. Mazara moved to the next round because of their best placement in the regular season. Another tie with second-placed Carini in the final, however, caused Mazara to be eliminated. Mazara failed to receive promotion in the following season, finishing in fifth place after a long battle with Nissa and bitter rivals Trapani, who then defeated and eliminated Mazara in the following promotion play-off tournament. All three matches (two in the regular season, plus a one-legged play-off match) against Trapani were played behind closed doors.