 Preece continued to be a back-up goalkeeper and during the 2011–12 season, Preece suffered a wrist injury while warming up ahead of a match against Southampton, resulting him out of the rest of the season At the end of the season, Preece was released along with six other players, ending a three-year spell at Barnsley.On 5 December 2012, Preece signed non-contract terms with Lincoln City and made his debut in a 4–2 win over Dartford.On 28 December 2012 his contact was made permanent until the end of the season in a player-coach capacity.