Scanlon next played in the later stages of a ranking event at the 1995 Welsh Open, where he beat Steve Archer, Karl Broughton, Billy Snaddon, Terry Griffiths 5–0 and Jason Ferguson, setting up a last-16 meeting with Stephen Hendry, by this time a four-time World Champion.

The following season, Scanlon reached the last 32 at the 1996 European Open, defeating Suriya Suwannasingh 5–2, David Rippon 5–3, veteran Alex Higgins 5–4, Mark Flowerdew 5–3, Brian Morgan 5–3 and Frans Mintoff 5–1, but lost 3–5 to Parrott.

Having earned only £4,760 from ten events, Scanlon beat Darryn Walker 10–9, Shokat Ali 10–7 having trailed 4–7, and Paul Sweeny 10–5 from 4–5 behind, to set up a last-48 meeting with Fergal O'Brien.

However, Scanlon was unable to improve his form, the highlight of the 1999/2000 season being a run to the last 64 at the 1999 Grand Prix, where he lost 2–5 to Gary Wilkinson.

After losing in qualifying for the 2000 World Championship 9–10 to David McLellan, Scanlon finished the season ranked 112th and did not play another competitive match.