Magpies are shaping up nicely for promotion tilt

There are signs that this season's National League North is just starting to take shape after eight games played.

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That's the view of Chorley boss Andy Preece, who can't help but notice that the heavily resourced South Shields and AFC Fylde ominously sit in the top two positions in the table.

The Mariners and the Coasters-who are both full-time and benefit from wealthy ownership-occupy first and second place respectively, but the part-time Magpies are not too far away in fourth.