 He made his debut in the 3–0 home victory over Northwich Victoria on 12 March 2005 and made a total of five appearances for the side before departing at the end of the month to join Grays Athletic.He made his Grays debut in the 1–1 home Football Conference South draw with Hayes on 12 April 2005 and played a further three times for the club scoring a solitary goal in the 3–0 victory at Maidenhead United on 23 April.At the start of the 2005–06 season, following another successful trial, Stirling returned to the Football League and signed a one-year deal with Oxford United.