In May 2017, he signed for Crewe Alexandra, scoring 54 goals in 189 appearances over five seasons at the Cheshire club before returning to Oldham in the summer of 2022.

[5] Porter made the bench for Bury's Third Division 0–0 draw with Hartlepool United at Victoria Park on 7 March 2003, but was an unused substitute.

[7] He made his second and final appearance of the season on 3 May in Bury's 3–0 home defeat by Wrexham, when he replaced Paul O'Shaughnessy after 69 minutes.

[11] His pre-season form paid dividends, earning a starting berth alongside David Nugent in the season opening 4–2 defeat against Swansea City on 9 August 2003.

[13] He made it two goals in two games on 23 August as his side saw off Kidderminster Harriers 2–0, but he again failed to complete the full 90 minutes with a recurrence of his ankle injury.

[16] In the newly renamed League Two, Porter scored his first goal of the season for Bury on 21 August 2004 in a 1–1 draw with Chester City.

[17] He received the first red card of his career on 28 September during a Football League Trophy first round match with Stockport County.

He bundled the ball into the net using his hand, and referee Mark Cowburn showed him a straight red for the handball offence.

[20] Bury manager Graham Barrow said there was "no chance of him leaving", with the club stating that Oldham wanted to take Porter on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

[24] After rejecting a new contract offer from Bury, Porter joined League One side Oldham Athletic on 22 June 2005, signing a two-year deal with the club.

[28] Porter scored on his League One debut on 6 August, heading in a Rob Scott throw-in after 24 minutes to help his side to a 2–0 win over Yeovil Town,[29] despite carrying a knee injury.

[35] In March 2007, it was reported that Championship side Stoke City were interested in signing Porter on loan with a view to a permanent £600,000 move in the summer.

"[37] After missing five games with knee damage, Porter returned to action in a 1–0 win over promotion rivals Yeovil on 31 March.

[52] Porter made his European debut in the UEFA Cup during the 2008–09 season, replacing John Sutton after 67 minutes of the 1–0 defeat to AS Nancy at the Stade Marcel-Picot on 18 September 2008.

[54] Between these games, Porter received his first red card since 2004 in a 2–1 extra time defeat at home to Hamilton Academical on 24 September in the League Cup.

[60] Later in January, Porter was again linked with a move away, on this occasion to Championship side Cardiff City,[61] with Motherwell accepting a £400,000 offer for the player.

[70] He returned for pre-season duty on 11 July 2009, scoring the only goal of the game in a friendly win against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.

[72] He finally made his return to first-team action for the first time since March on 8 December, making a substitute appearance in Derby's 0–0 stalemate with Preston North End at Deepdale.

[74] Having featured mostly as a substitute for Derby, Porter began his most consistent run in the team during March, making five consecutive starts, but promised the club's staff and fans that after "a good pre-season and an injury-free season everybody will see the best of me and what I can do".

[77] He missed a portion of pre-season after requiring an injection for his troublesome hip,[78] but returned for a 3–3 friendly draw with AFC Bournemouth on 22 July.

[79] In his second appearance of the season, a 1–0 League Cup defeat to Crewe Alexandra on 10 August, Porter broke down with another hip injury, having to be replaced at half-time.

[85] Despite helping the Derby County reserve team to a league title, Porter continued to find himself in and out of the first-team in the latter stages of the season.

[89] He made his full debut for the Blades, starting against his former club Oldham Athletic, in a 2–0 away win on the opening day of the season.

[92] Sheffield United went on to lose the final to Huddersfield Town on penalties, with Porter replacing Richard Cresswell in the 85th minute of normal time.

[100] Having been told by Blades manager Danny Wilson to seize his opportunity when selected in the first-team,[101] Porter made an immediate impact after being introduced as a half-time substitute for Dave Kitson in his first match for the club since his return from his Shrewsbury loan.

[109] On his return to Sheffield, Porter's former manager David Weir had been replaced with Nigel Clough, who he had previously played under at Derby County.

[115] It was then revealed in January 2015 that two potential buyers had spoken to Porter about his availability on a permanent transfer after being told he was surplus to requirements at Bramall Lane.

[118] Porter made his debut for the U's on 24 January, starting in the 2–0 relegation battle victory over Leyton Orient, before being substituted for Macauley Bonne in injury time.

[122] After an injury blighted the start to his season, Porter scored his first goal of the campaign on 21 November in a 4–1 defeat by Millwall after coming on as a half-time substitute for Marvin Sordell.

[146][147] On 6 June 2022, Porter rejoined Oldham Athletic, recently relegated to the National League, on a one-year contract having spent two seasons with the club 15 years earlier.