 He found most of his first team action under John Hendrie's stewardship in the 1998–99 First Division campaign, playing 40 games and scoring four goals.He played nine games for Rochdale during a loan spell in April 2000, before he joined Port Vale on loan in November 2001.After his loan spell with Vale finished he was signed by Brian Horton permanently on a free transfer, scoring his first goal for the club against Oldham Athletic.