The former Bury player-boss, who in recent weeks has been linked with the vacant manager's jobs at Kidderminster Harriers and Stockport County, showed he still has plenty to offer as a striker.
The Cumbrians, urged on by their terrific away support, found themselves a goal down at half-time.
However, manager Paul Simpson took off Kevin Henderson and Preece did the rest.
It took him just four minutes to bring the Conference high-flyers level, turning inside the box before shooting home.
Carlisle, whose 1,500 travelling army swelled the attendance at The Interlink Stadium to more than 3,000, didn't have things all their own way.
Indeed, Lee McEvilly almost restored Stanley's advantage after Rory Prendergast had crossed into the area. However, Matty Glennon produced a vital save. It proved to be even more crucial as minutes later the lively Preece put the visitors ahead.
The veteran striker received the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and his trade-mark left foot did the business.
Accrington, a model of inconsistency this season, did their best to equalise - Glennon saved from Ian Craney while McEvilly also went close.
In the final minute Stanley believed they had levelled. Paul Cook headed over the keeper but Glennon got back to claw the ball out of harms way with the home side appealing in vain that the ball had crossed the line.
There had been nothing Glennon could do though with Accrington's goal late in the first half. McEvilly was the provider - his pass picked out Prendergast and he curled in a delightful strike from the edge of the penalty area.