He later played for Barnsley and Carlisle United, where he won the 2005 Conference National play-off final and the 2005–06 Football League Two Championship title.
A successful sixteen-match loan at Crewe Alexandra in the Championship followed, with manager Dario Gradi submitting bids in the region of £500,000 for his services.
Lumsdon signed for Championship side Barnsley for £500,000 in December 2001, with substantial add-on fees attached to the deal based on appearances.
In 2004, Lumsdon joined Paul Simpson's ambitious Carlisle United, where his wages were funded by former Gretna owner Brooks Mileson.
In a pre-season match in the summer of 2008 against Partick Thistle, Lumsdon suffered a serious back injury; in his absence, Carlisle struggled in League One, but he managed to make six appearances towards the end of the 2008–09 season upon his return.
Lumsdon left Carlisle United in May 2009, when it was clear his back injury was causing him too much pain to play at the level required.