 After being released by the club he joined Chester-le-Street Town during the 2002–03 season before returning to Hartlepool in July 2005.He made his first team debut after starting in a 1–0 defeat to Yeovil Town on 2 September and in a 1–0 defeat at Scunthorpe United in the Football League Trophy on 18 October he conceded a penalty kick that was scored after being adjudged to have handled the ball, before being substituted in the 84th minute with a suspected calf injury.He finished the 2005–06 season with two appearances and was rewarded with a new contract in June 2006.