season with 35 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions for Farnborough, earning himself a trial at Football League Championship side Swansea City. McDonald was denied a move to the club after a successful trial due to the two clubs being unable to agree a fee for the player as he had one year left on his contract. In June 2011, McDonald signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic. The forward made 15 league appearances in his only season as a Robin and scored five league goals, including both in a 2–0 away win at Hastings United. On 25 January 2013, McDonald signed for Conference National side Macclesfield Town from Billericay Town, making his debut the following day in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Premier League team Wigan Athletic, coming on for 20 minutes. McDonald made his league debut on 1 February, coming on for the last ten minutes against Ebbsfleet United to provide an assist for the 4th and final goal in a 4–0 win for the club. On 16 August 2013, McDonald signed for Conference South side Sutton United. In September 2013, McDonald signed a short-term deal with Billericay Town, and he went on to play for Margate and Whitehawk before the end of the 2013–14 season. In June 2014, it was announced that McDonald had signed for Dulwich Hamlet of the Isthmian League Premier Division. After one season with Dulwich Hamlet, making 21 appearances and scoring 5 goals in all competitions, McDonald was released ahead of the 2015-16 campaign with Hamlet manager Gavin Rose commenting "Dean got too many injuries and we didn't feel we could give him another contract. But he is still a very talented player." He continued to train with the club, however, and returned to the first team for their FA Cup first qualifying round win over Hampton & Richmond Borough on 12 September 2015, coming off the bench in the 78th minute. McDonald was once again released by Dulwich Hamlet towards the end of March 2016, with Hamlet manager Gavin Rose citing a lack of end product being behind the decision to let him go. On 5 July 2016, McDonald joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Merstham after his release from Dulwich Hamlet. McDonald was signed by former manager Steve King for the fifth time when he joined Welling United at the start of the 2018–19 season,