league appearances, as Hornchurch suffered a financial collapse. His last game for the club was in a 3–2 victory over Gravesend & Northfleet in the FA Cup on 30 October 2004, a result that booked the club's place in the First Round proper. He subsequently signed for divisional rivals Grays Athletic on 9 November 2004. Bayes played regularly as Grays secured the Conference South title that season, winning the league by 23 points and conceding just 31 goals in 42 games. He scored his only goal in competitive football in a 3–0 win over Havant & Waterlooville at the New Recreation Ground in April 2005, in the club's final league game of the season. Bayes took a first-half penalty after Gary Hooper had been fouled in the area. Although he missed the penalty, he scored the rebound. He also played in Grays' FA Trophy success during the same season, starting in the final at Villa Park, where he saved a penalty as Grays beat Hucknall Town 6–5 on a penalty shoot-out after the two teams had drawn 1–1 after extra-time. The following season, Bayes started in the club's first ever Conference National fixture, a 1–1 away draw at Burton Albion in August 2005. He made 32 appearances during the season, as the club missed out on back-to-back promotions after losing in the play-off semi-final over two legs to Halifax Town. He also played regularly as the Essex club retained the FA Trophy at the end of the campaign, beating his former club, Woking, 2–0 in the final at Upton Park on 14 May 2006. Under the new management of Justin Edinburgh, Bayes remained first-choice goalkeeper for the 2006–07 season, playing in 42 games. Despite played regularly, he was released by the club in May 2007, in-turn ending his three-year tenure at Grays. Crawley Town Despite stating a desire to rejoin Exeter City, he ultimately signed for Conference club Crawley Town on a one-year contract on 19 June 2007. Bayes made his debut for Crawley in the club's opening game of the 2007–08 season, a 2–1 home victory over Stevenage at Broadfield Stadium. He made 46 appearances in all competitions during his only season at the club, with Crawley finishing the campaign in a mid-table position despite having six points deducted for a breach of financial regulations. Stevenage Ahead of the 2008–09 season, Bayes signed for Stevenage on a free transfer.