season. However, by October, he was dropped from the starting eleven squad and didn't play for three months. On 4 December 2018, Nelson was placed on a transfer list by manager Allen. But on 26 December 2018, he made his first appearance for Chesterfield against Solihull Moors, starting a match, only to come off in the 9th minute, in a 4–0 loss, in what turned out to be his last appearance for the club. Following this, Nelson spent the rest of the 2018–19 season, combining his role as Chesterfield player with coaching staff duties. At the end of the 2018–19 season, he went on to make thirteen appearances in all competitions. Shortly after, Nelson was released by the club. Gateshead In the summer of 2019, Nelson signed for his home town club, Gateshead, as a player-coach. On 10 August 2019, he made his début for the club, starting a match and played 67 minutes before being substituted, in a 0–0 draw at AFC Telford United. On 1 September 2019, Nelson scored his first goal for Gateshead, in a 2–0 win against Brackley Town. During his time at the club, he made thirteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions. Coaching career Nelson was appointed assistant manager of Stevenage on 17 January 2020, once again assisting Graham Westley whom he had worked alongside at Barnet. Nelson left the club a month later after Alex Revell was appointed manager. Nelson returned to playing when he joined Blyth Spartans on 26 February 2020 until the end of the season. A week later on 4 March 2020, he was then made player-manager after the departure of Lee Clark. Three days later on 7 March 2020, Nelson's first game in charge came against Brackley Town, as the club lost 5–2. However, the 2019–20 season was ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On 1 May 2020, he was appointed as a permanent manager at Blyth Spartans. Upon doing so, Nelson retired from professional football. Ahead of the 2020–21 season, Nelson made new signings, with a help from the "Impact of the Future Fund" and "the 1899 Club" support groups and praised the groups for their role in helping him bring in new players. However, Blyth Spartans struggled in the league, winning only once in fourteen league matches before the season was ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic for the second time. During the 2020–21