The 2000–01 season was Bayes' most successful season at Leyton Orient, where he made 51 appearances in all competitions as Orient finished the season in fifth place. He also played in their play-off campaign, as the club lost 4–2 to Blackpool in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in May 2001. Bayes made just 14 appearances the following season as a persistent shoulder injury hampered his last season with the club. He made 86 appearances during his three-year spell at Orient. Bohemians He left Leyton Orient when his contract expired in May 2002. On his departure, Orient manager Paul Brush stated "He's been unlucky with his injury but he needs a new challenge". He subsequently signed for League of Ireland team Bohemians on a free transfer on 31 May 2002. He joined on a three-year contract. Bayes made 27 appearances during the 2002–03 campaign, his only full season with the club, picking up a winners medal in the process as Bohemians finished the season as league champions. The title was sealed courtesy of a 1–0 win over Shelbourne, with Bayes making a crucial save, described as "save of the season", with the game tied at 0–0. Despite his successful first season with Bohemians, Bayes lost his place to Seamus Kelly at the beginning of the following season, and sought after a return to England to play first-team football. He was released from his contract at Bohemians in March 2003, two years earlier than initially agreed. Woking Towards the latter stages of the same month, Bayes signed for Conference club Woking on a free transfer, and on a short-team deal for the remainder of the 2002–03 season. He made five appearances in the last month of the season, keeping three clean sheets to help Woking stave off relegation and remain in the highest tier of non-league football. Bayes signed a one-year deal with Woking ahead of the 2003–04 campaign, and played regularly throughout, making 40 appearances, although did briefly lose his place to loanee Scott Bevan. He made 45 appearances in all competitions during his stay at the club. Grays Athletic At the end of the season, Bayes was offered a contract extension at Woking, but rejected it in favour of a move to join Conference South club Hornchurch in May 2004. However, he left the club, along with many other players, in November that year, having made just ten