 He reached the last 32 in three more ranking events - the 1987 Grand Prix, where he lost 2–5 to Willie Thorne, the 1989 British Open, where Mike Hallett whitewashed him 5–0, and the 1989 International Open, where he was beaten 5–1 by Alain Robidoux - but, having begun the 1991–92 season ranked 116th, he finished it, having lost 1–10 to Chris Cookson in qualifying for the 1992 World Championship, without a ranking.Bales entered ten tournaments during the 1992/1993 season, but won only one match - in the sixth round of qualifying for the International Open.He lost 3–5 to Mark O'Sullivan in the seventh qualifying round for the 1993 World Championship, and did not play competitive snooker thereafter.