Chorley

​The Magpies boss described his side’s start to the season as solid – they currently sit in mid-table on 20 points – only four points shy of seventh-placed Hednesford Town. However, Preece has been left frustrated by his side’s inability to string a run of good results together.

One good win has often been followed by a disappointing defeat – the past week or so has been a case in point. A week last Tuesday, the Magpies produced one of their best performances of the season in defeating Radcliffe away from home 3-0.

With a trip to bottom side Spennymoor Town awaiting them last weekend, it was a chance to put themselves within touching distance of the play-offs. However, the Moors picked up a 2-0 victory as the Magpies failed to capitalise on the opportunities they created.

“It’s been a solid enough start,” said Preece. “But we have had a couple of opportunities where we could have pushed ourselves right into the play-off places such as Saturday where if we had of won that, we would have been right up amongst it – just five or six points off the top of the table.

“Every opportunity you get, you want to take. It’s been frustrating but we are still in a decent position.”

This weekend, the Magpies can make in-roads with victory over fourth-placed Hereford at Victory Park. The Bulls have lost three of their past four, but showed how good they can be when they hammered leaders South Shields 6-0.

“That shows what they are capable of,” Preece added. “But their last couple of games, they have found things a little bit more difficult. We know they are a good side, but we are too.”

Other fixtures – FA Cup first round: Harrogate Town v AFC Fylde; National League North: South Shields v Southport; NPL Premier: Bamber Bridge v Bury; NPL West: Clitheroe v 1874 Northwich; NWCL Premier: Charnock R v Ramsbottom U, Litherland REMYCA v Burscough, South Liverpool v Euxton Villa, FC Isle of Man v Longridge T; NWCL First Div N: AFC Knowsley v Garstang, Bacup Borough v Fulwood Amateurs.