Ashley Bayes

Woking Later that month, Bayes signed a short-term deal with Conference National club Woking for the remainder of the 2002–03 season. He made five appearances in the last month of the season, keeping three clean sheets as the club avoided relegation.

Grays Athletic At the end of the season, Bayes rejected a contract extension at Woking and joined Conference South club Hornchurch in May 2004. He made ten league appearances before leaving in November 2004 following the club's financial collapse. He then signed for divisional rivals Grays Athletic on 9 November 2004. He played regularly as the club won the league title by 23 points, conceding 31 goals in 42 matches. He scored the only goal of his career in a 3–0 victory against Havant & Waterlooville in April 2005, in Grays' final home match of the season, converting the rebound after missing a first-half penalty. He also featured in Grays' FA Trophy victory that season, saving two penalties in a 6–5 penalty shoot-out win over Hucknall Town in the final following a 1–1 draw after extra-time.

Bayes remained first-choice during the 2005–06 season, making 32 appearances as Grays lost in the play-off semi-finals to Halifax Town. He also helped the club retain the FA Trophy, saving a penalty in the semi-final second leg and then playing in the 2–0 victory over former club Woking in the final on 14 May 2006. He played 42 times during the 2006–07 season under manager Justin Edinburgh before being released in May 2007, ending a three-year spell with the club.

Crawley Town Despite expressing a desire to rejoin Exeter City, Bayes signed a one-year contract with Conference Premier club Crawley Town on 19 June 2007. He made his debut in a 2–1 home victory over Stevenage Borough in the opening game of the 2007–08 season, and went on to make 46 appearances in all competitions. Crawley finished 15th in the league, despite a six-point deduction for breaching financial regulations.

Stevenage Bayes with Stevenage Borough after the 2009 FA Trophy Final. Ahead of the 2008–09 season, Bayes signed for Stevenage Borough on a free transfer. He made his debut in a 5–0 defeat to Wrexham on 9 August 2008, and played in the following three matches. Following the arrival of Chris Day, Bayes featured less frequently, including in the FA Trophy, which Stevenage went on to win.

Bayes featured five times during the 2009–10 season as the club earned promotion to the Football League for the first time after finishing as Conference Premier champions. He did not make any first-team appearances the following season but took on coaching responsibilities while Stevenage secured a second consecutive promotion via the play-offs. Bayes left the club in June 2011 to return to first-team football and focus on coaching.

Basingstoke Town On the same day as his departure from Stevenage was confirmed, on 20 June 2011, Bayes signed for Conference South club Basingstoke Town. A week later, he joined Aldershot Town as a part-time goalkeeping coach while continuing as a player at Basingstoke. Named club captain ahead of the season, he was first-choice goalkeeper throughout the 2011–12 campaign, making 47 appearances as Basingstoke finished fifth and reached the play-offs, where they lost 3–1 on aggregate to eventual winners Dartford.

He remained at the club for the 2012–13 season, signing a one-year extension in March 2012, and made 40 appearances as Basingstoke finished 14th. Bayes left by mutual consent on 29 May 2013 to take up a full-time coaching role in the Football League, stating that the move was motivated by a desire to focus on his long-term coaching career. He was also registered as a player to provide additional cover if required,

Coaching career Bayes gained his coaching badges while still playing and began coaching part-time at Aldershot Town during the 2011–12 season. Conference South

2005–06 League Two

2014–15 League Two

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Honours Bohemians League of Ireland Premier Division: 2002–03 FA Trophy: 2004–05,

Individual Exeter City Player of the Year: 1998–99