spent a brief part of the 1993–94 season on loan at Halifax Town, featuring just once for the Conference club. Darlington Crosby signed with Alan Murray's Darlington in December 1993, which went on to end the 1993–94 campaign second-from-bottom of the Football League. Darlington also finished second-from-bottom in 1994–95, with Crosby clocking up 41 appearances. The "Quakers" improved under new manager Jim Platt, and Crosby played 55 games in the 1995–96 campaign as Darlington qualified for the play-offs after finishing in fifth-place; he played in a back five alongside centre-backs Sean Gregan and Matty Appleby, supported by wing-backs Mark Barnard and Simon Shaw. He captained the club in their play-off final defeat to Plymouth Argyle, the club's first appearance at Wembley Stadium. However Darlington returned to the lower half of the division under new manager David Hodgson, finishing 18th in 1996–97 and 19th in 1997–98, with Crosby bringing his final tally at Darlington to 211 league and cup appearances. Chester City He joined Chester City in July 1998, where he partnered Matt Woods in central defence. Kevin Ratcliffe's "Seals" would finish 14th in the Third Division at the end of the 1998–99 season, with Crosby scoring four goals in 46 games and being sent off twice. He was transfer-listed by controversial owner Terry Smith and told the media that the club was "falling apart". Chester City were later ordered to pay Crosby £3,800 in outstanding bonuses and wages. Brighton & Hove Albion Crosby was sold on to Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee of £10,000 in July 1999. He recovered from a "mysterious illness" that kept him in hospital for two nights in September 1999; it turned out to be caused by a virus in his left ear. He went on to make 41 appearances across the 1999–2000 campaign. He formed a strong centre-back partnership with Danny Cullip during the 2000–01 season as Brighton won promotion out of the Third Division as champions; he scored two goals in 39 games, including one goal scored with his ear against Blackpool. He had a "clear the air meeting" with manager Micky Adams in September 2001 after being dropped for Matt Wicks. Following the meeting he was transfer-listed at his own request after finding his first-team chances at the Withdean Stadium limited. Oxford United Crosby signed with Oxford United in December 2001. Ian Atkins led the "U's" to a 21st-place finish in