Though he returned before the end of the season, his efforts in his fifteen appearances helped Rochdale to win automatic promotion into League One. Upon his return to Hull he won his first start for the club in the Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on 3 May. He marked this landmark appearance with a headed goal, though by this point Hull's relegation was confirmed. Six days later he played in the club's last game of the season, helping them to earn a respectable point at home to Liverpool. He was selected for four Championship games at the start of 2010–11, before he signed for Rotherham United on loan deadline day (25 November). He played just three games, but did find the net in a 5–0 demolition of former club Port Vale. In January 2011, Atkinson decided to rejoin Rochdale on loan for the end of the season, after turning down the opportunity for extending his United loan. He went on to make 21 appearances for "Dale", finding the net twice. In August 2011, he joined Plymouth Argyle on loan for the entirety of the 2011–12 season. He scored the opening goal on his debut against Rotherham United and at the beginning of September at Burton Albion. Atkinson netted two more goals in November, against Torquay United and Northampton Town respectively. Atkinson was recalled by Hull City in January 2012, having made 25 appearances in all competitions for Argyle. In January 2012, he signed on loan with Bradford City until the end of the season. He scored his first goal for the "Bantams" on 28 February, in a 4–0 win over Barnet at Underhill. In July 2012 he signed a one-year contract with Bradford City. On 11 August, he made his first appearance since signing permanently, in a 1–0 win over Notts County at Meadow Lane. He scored his first goal of the season on 3 November, opening the scoring in a 1–1 draw away to Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup. He scored his second goal of the season in the replay on 13 November which finished 3–3, and also scored his penalty in the resulting shoot-out which Bradford won 4–2. On 12 February 2013, he scored his first league goal of the season in a 3–0 win away to Wycombe Wanderers. Having played in all seven matches of Bradford's run to the 2013 final of the League Cup, including victories over Premier League sides Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa, he played at Wembley in the 5–0 defeat to Swansea City.