ANDY Preece’s believes Airbus UK Broughton have not been given the credit they deserve for securing the club’s best ever Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League position.

The Wingmakers will finish no lower than sixth after sealing their place in the upper half of the table before the 12-team league splits in two.

It means the ambitious Flintshire outfit, whose previous top-placed finish was seventh, are safe from relegation and free to concentrate all their efforts on qualifying for Europe for the first time.

Given the calibre of clubs still chasing the final spot in the top six – one of Carmarthen Town, Gap Connah’s Quay, Newtown, Llanelli, Bala Town and Aberystwyth Town will join Airbus, Port Talbot Town, Prestatyn Town, Bangor City and The New Saints in the Championship Conference – Preece reckons his side’s achievement should not be underestimated.

The Wingmakers boss said: “When you look at the clubs who are fighting for sixth place and we’re comfortably inside it, it’s unbelievable what we’ve done and I think it’s got a bit lost.”

Fourth-placed Airbus travel to second-from-bottom Aberystwyth on Saturday (noon).

They would have moved up to second last weekend with victory at home to basement boys Afan Lido. The Hollingsworth Group Stadium clash, however, was postponed just 45 minutes before kick-off because of a waterlogged pitch.

The Wingmakers last week signed Liverpool goalkeeper Jamie Stephens on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old’s arrival led to Ben Chapman leaving the club.

Preece is on the lookout for defensive cover after Wrexham recalled impressive on-loan centre-back Stephen Tomassen.

Malpas (Steve Watkins) lost 4-1 at home to Poynton in Cheshire League Division Two on Saturday.