Stanley were edged out 3-2 by a strong Preston North End side, in their third pre-season game at The Wham Stadium.
First half goals from Alan Browne and Callum Robinson gave the visitors a two goal lead at the break, before Jonny Edwards halved the deficit just before the hour mark.
Greg Cunningham restored the two-goal advantage with a drilled effort from close range but it was reduced again three minutes from time when lively substitute Matty Pearson capped a fine individual run with a calm finish.
Following a cagey opening, Robinson carved out the first opportunity of the evening in the 19th minute. The winger cut inside and drove a ball across the face of the goal which was hacked clear by Janoi Donacien.
Down the opposite end, quick footwork from Mehki McLeod slipped in Hull loanee Jonny Edwards who saw his shot on the spin blocked.
The deadlock was broken by the visitors in the 37th minute, when Browne stroked home Doyle's cross beyond Aaron Chapman who could only get a hand on it as it trickled into the corner.
Three minutes before the break, North End double their advantage courtesy of the lively Robinson who, following good work from Ben Pringle, took a touch and placed his shot past Chapman.
John Coleman made four changes at the break, introducing Pearson, Zehn Mohammed, Omar Beckles and A Trialist.
In the 55th minute a Tommy Spurr header forced Chapman into a fine reaction save, tipping the effort over the bar.
Three minutes later, substitute Beckles flicked a header into the path of Edwards who finished smartly past Chris Maxwell to half the Preston lead.
The hour mark signalled a mass exodus for the visitors as boss Alex Neil made nine changes, with only Browne and Pringle staying on.
Erico Sousa was replaced by Jordan Clark in the 72nd minute as Stanley pushed for an equaliser.
Chapman produced another superb save to deny Jordan Hugill's close-range header but from the resulting corner, he couldn't prevent Cunningham scoring Preston's third as he lashed home from a tight angle.
In the 87th minute, Pearson capped a powerful run down the right hand side with a tidy finish to set up a frantic final few minutes but Stanley couldn't find a late leveller that their efforts warranted.
Attendance: 989.