Chorley Ride Their Luck As Preece Calls For Improvement

The Magpies went through on penalties after a stalemate at home to Curzon Ashton in the National League North play-off Eliminator.

They head to Brackley for Sunday’s semi-final after a long night - and the manager knows the team must be better if they want to keep their promotion dream alive at the weekend.

The shoot-out success sparked wild scenes at Victory Park and although Preece admits his side didn’t hit the heights, the fact they found a way to win bodes well for what’s ahead.

“We were poor - we aren’t going to hide away from the fact that Curzon Ashton deserved to win the game on the chances created,” he told the club’s YouTube channel.

“It was never going to be a classic, it was always going to be a fight but they were much better. They created two or three really good opportunities on the break.

“We were fortunate but over the season, if you finished fourth and eight points ahead then you deserve a bit of luck. We got that.

“What it did show about us is that we don’t give in. We’re tight and we’re hungry, we aren’t going to give in if things don’t go for us.It wasn’t vintage but this is a cup competition, it’s about getting thorough. We’re delighted to, and we’re delighted for the lads and the fans.

“There’s still a lot of work to do if we’re going to win promotion. Going to Brackley isn’t the nicest of propositions but we go there with a chance.”