He left the club shortly afterwards to pursue other interests and moved into non-League football for the first time in his career by signing for Conference North sides Harrogate Town, and a year later Guiseley.

While with Orient, Toner impressed enough to be called up to the Northern Ireland international team, where he played in two games, against Spain and Italy.

Shortly before the start of the season Town manager Russell Slade rewarded Toner with a one-year contract, to which he accepted.

In his first season with Grimsby Toner initially found it hard to break up Slade's favoured central midfield role of Paul Bolland and Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala.

It wasn't until Kalala joined up with the DR Congo international side for the African Nations Cup midway through the 2005–06 season that Toner began to find his feet in the first team.

In his second season at Blundell Park, Toner finished joint top scorer with eight goals, as he played a large part in keeping Alan Buckley's side in the Football League.

Toner won his race by being named as an unused substitute for Rochdale's opening day fixture to Port Vale.

[2] On 13 September 2013, after spending time with Rotherham United as a coach during the 2012–13 season, Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity announced the signing of Toner on a non-contract basis.

[3] In 2003, Toner was called up to play for Northern Ireland in two matches for his country, replacing Damien Johnson in a friendly against Italy, and Thomas Doherty in a 0–0 draw with Spain.

During the 2012–13 season, Toner took a break from playing football and joined York City as Under 14 coach while studying for his UEFA A Licence qualification.

In November 2023, Toner was appointed manager of FA Women's National League Division One Midlands club Doncaster Rovers Belles.