2008–09 season in the 2–1 home defeat to Stevenage Borough on 25 September. Stevenage's goalkeeper, Chris Day, parried a header from Barry Cogan which dropped at Stuart's feet who hit a low hard shot from ten yards out. Grays faced League One outfit Carlisle United away in the FA Cup first round on 8 November. In the 1–1 stalemate, Stuart scored Grays' only goal in the 52nd minute, with a ten-yard volley. In the New Year's Day fixture of 2009, Stuart scored with a header from a free-kick taken by Sam Sloma, to hand Grays a 3–1 victory over Ebbsfleet United. Following the departure of manager Wayne Burnett, Stuart took the role of assistant manager at Grays, alongside Stuart Elliott in late January 2009. Rushden & Diamonds He signed for Rushden & Diamonds in June 2009, reuniting with former Grays manager Justin Edinburgh, who described him as "a great leader". Stuart was named as captain for the upcoming 2009–10 season. He won the 2009–10 fans' player of the season award, and was included in the Conference National team of the year 2009–10. AFC Wimbledon In January 2011, Stuart signed for AFC Wimbledon for an undisclosed nominal fee. He made 21 appearances, scoring once for Wimbledon in the 2010–11 Football Conference season. The team finished second, qualifying for the play-offs for promotion to League Two, which they eventually won with Stuart playing in all three games. In July 2011 Stuart was named as the captain of the newly promoted team; on 6 August he scored AFC Wimbledon's first-ever Football League goal in the first game of the season. Stuart played his last game for AFC Wimbledon on 5 May 2012, in the 3–1 win over Shrewsbury Town. In May 2012, Stuart was released from the club due to the expiry of his contract. Sutton United and Margate After being named club captain Stuart scored his first competitive goal for the club on 5 March 2013 against Bromley in a 4–3 win for Sutton United. In 2014, he moved to Margate earning promotion into the Conference South. Following Terry Brown's departure from the club, Nikki Bull was appointed as player/manager with Stuart named as his assistant. Management career Return to Grays Athletic On 10 May 2016, Stuart returned to Grays Athletic as player/manager of the Isthmian League Premier Division club. He left by mutual consent in February 2019. Personal life Born in