 However, it would be his final game for the club as he and a number of other senior players left the club following the departure of the manager Shaun Teale.After an unsuccessful trial with Lincoln City in July 2003, he joined Rossendale United before moving to Matlock Town, a club his uncle Neil Fairclough had previously played for, at the end of September.He debuted for the club in the 4–0 victory at Ossett Town on 27 September 2003. and his signing coincided with the club going on a run that took them to the top of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table before eventually finishing as runners-up to Hucknall Town; Taylor was named the club's player of the season.