His time at Deepdale was difficult however with the club going through a transitional period and at the end of the 1985–86 season he was released after playing just 12 games.
After spending a month at Stockport County, Stevens found himself without a club and playing non-league football again for Lancaster City.
He was predominantly a squad player at Burnden Park due to the presence of strikers John Thomas and Tony Philliskirk.
Although Stevens joined Carlisle on the back of the Cumbrians' promotion, the club were relegated immediately and only preserved their football league status the following season thanks to a goal from on loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass.
From Gretna, Stevens moved again into non-league football with Fleetwood Town, winning promotion to the Northern Premier League in 2005–06.