in april 2002, due to financial constraints, alan buckley departed lincoln, and under new manager keith alexander chances were rare. buckley would make only three league appearances, all from the substitutes bench, during the 2002–03 season with a further three appearances in cup competitions. the season did, however, bring buckley his only goal in his professional career when he netted a free-kick in the 2–1 home defeat to shrewsbury town in the football league trophy on 12 november 2002. buckley like at grimsby also found cast aside by the lincoln city supporters for only playing a part in first team affairs because his father was the team's manager.