Magpies are looking to shatter Moors’ imperious home record
Chorley face one of the stiffest tasks anywhere in the country this weekend as they bid to reach the final qualifying round of the FA Cup.
The Magpies travel to Spennymoor Town – a team who have gone 16 games unbeaten at Brewery Field.
Indeed the last time, Town were beaten at home was in the first week of January – and a few days prior to that they lost 2-0 in front of their own fans to the Magpies on Boxing Day.
But since the festive and new year period, The Moors have proven to be unbeatable on their own patch.
"We have obviously had some fantastic runs in the FA Cup and we would like to repeat that,” said Preece.
"It’s not going to be easy and we are going to have to do it the hard way.
"We had to go away to Mossley in the last round which was a tricky tie but this is at another level of difficulty.
"They are unbeaten in 16 at home which is an incredible record. I would have thought that the record is up there with anybody in the entire football pyramid.
"That’s a challenge for us but we went there last season and won, so records are there to be broken.”
Preece believes the hostile nature of Brewery Field gives the hosts a big advantage.
"It’s quite an intimidating atmosphere," said Preece. “The fans are really close to the pitch – they get behind their team. The pitch is also on a little bit of a slope although it’s a good surface.”
Preece will check on the fitness of Jack Sampson and Craig Hewitt, who both missed last weekend’s 3-3 draw at South Shields.