On 16 September 2011 he was loaned to Chesterfield, but was only a backup to Greg Fleming during his spell. In early January 2012 Smith joined Conference Premier side Lincoln Cityon loan, again as cover, until the end of the season. On 25 October 2012, Smith signed for another Conference side in Nuneaton Town, on an initial one-month loan. Smith made his senior debut on 27 October in a 1–1 draw with Barrow, and went on to appear in seven games for the club. On 11 January 2014 Smith was loaned to Football League One side Stevenage, in a one-month deal to provide cover following injuries to senior goalkeepers.
On 25 April 2014, Smith moved to Conference Premier side Cambridge United on an emergency loan, following injuries to all of the club's senior goalkeepers. Smith made his debut the next day, in a 2–0 defeat to Gateshead on the final day of the League season. With Cambridge having already qualified for the 2013–14 Conference play-offs, Smith starred as Cambridge defeated Halifax Town 2–1 over two legs, Cambridge being 1–0 down after the first leg, to send the U's to Wembley and a chance at promotion to the Football League. On 18 May 2014, Smith played the full match as Cambridge defeated Gateshead 2–1 in the 2014 Conference play-off Final, to earn promotion to League Two.
On 9 January 2015, Smith moved on a one-month loan to League Two side Mansfield Town after Leicester's signing of Mark Schwarzer moved Smith back down to third choice. The following day, Smith made his Football League debut, starting in a 2–1 away loss against Burton Albion in which he came up against fellow Leicester City loanee Jacob Blyth.
On 6 July 2017, Smith signed for League One club Bristol Rovers after leaving Northampton Town at the end of the season. He made his debut in a 1–0 away defeat to Charlton Athletic on 5 August 2017. He looked to have made an amazing save from a Patrick Bauer header tipping it onto the post, however the linesman and the referee judged that the ball had crossed the line. He was released by Bristol Rovers at the end of the 2018–19 season.
Following his release from Bristol Rovers, Smith signed a two-year deal with Forest Green Rovers on 25 June 2019, active from 1 July 2019. On 23 September 2019, Smith joined National League side Yeovil Town on a one-month loan deal. On 6 March 2020, Smith rejoined Yeovil on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.
Personal life
In May 2015, Smith and teammates James Pearson and Tom Hopper made a sex tape with local women on Leicester's tour of Thailand, which was obtained by the Sunday Mirror. The three players apologised for making the video, which included a racial epithet towards the women. However, the trio were sacked by the club on 17 June 2015.
