first team place in the new year due to a thigh strain. He retained his first team place in the second half of the season, but stated that concerns over his contract running down and the daily commute from his Lincolnshire home were becoming a strain, and that he would consider offers from more local clubs in the summer. He won a place on the Football League team of the week after providing an assist, scoring a goal and then having his free-kick deflected in for an own goal in a 3–1 home win over Southend United on 26 February. He was again named in the Football League team of the week after converting two penalties and putting in "a fine-all round performance" in a 4–1 home win over Rochdale on 23 April. He confirmed that he had rejected the offer of a new contract from the club in May 2016. Notts County O'Connor signed a two-year contract with League Two side Notts County in June 2016. He was named as club captain by manager John Sheridan. On 10 December, he was sent off in stoppage time of a 2–0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers. The "Magpies" struggled in the first half of the 2016–17 season, but new manager Kevin Nolan said O'Connor had been "pivotal in the turnaround" in the club's form alongside midfield partner Robert Milsom. However, on 17 April he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a 3–1 defeat to Portsmouth at Meadow Lane, and was ruled out of action for the rest of the calendar year. Nolan gave him scouting tasks during his long recovery. He managed to make a return to training in February before playing in the last six games of the 2017–18 season to help County to secure a place in the play-offs. He was offered new contract by Notts County at the end of the 2017–18 season, but turned it down in favour of a move elsewhere. Lincoln City On 20 June 2018, O'Connor signed a one-year contract with League Two Lincoln City. In joining Lincoln he turned down offers from Notts County and Grimsby Town. He played 45 times for the "Imps" as they secured promotion as League Two champions at the end of the 2018–19 season; manager Danny Cowley commented that "he's played a big part in the success of the team over this past season". O'Connor went on to