 However, he then fell out with manager Nigel Worthington, and in September 1999 he joined Port Vale on loan, and made three goalless appearances for Brian Horton's First Division "Valiants" in 1999–2000.In January 2000 he joined Conference club Rushden & Diamonds, also on loan, and scored sixty seconds into his debut in an FA Trophy victory at Bath City.On 30 January 2000, at the age of 25, Aldridge died as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash after leaving Rushden's 6–0 Conference win against Northwich Victoria at Nene Park, for which he had been an unused substitute.