MATT Doughty issued a stark warning to his Altrincham players and admitted his own future was on the line after a 4-1 defeat at National League North leaders AFC Fylde on Saturday.

The Alty boss, recently confirmed as being in charge for the rest of the season along with Robbie Lawton and Graham Heathcote, bluntly conceded his side could have been on the end of a "seven or eight" goal hiding but for a half time dressing down that stung the players into action.

Opening up on the implications for himself and his squad, ahead of Saturday's home game with FC Halifax Town, he said: "We gifted them goals and were poor, and that's the first time I've said that about us.

"We had 15 minutes at half time to change what was happening and I had a go at every single one of them.

"This isn't me patting myself on the back, but I stopped it being seven or eight nil.

"It could easily have been that if I hadn't shaken them up, but we shouldn't have to keep doing that.

"When myself and Robbie took over, there were so many things wrong at this club, not just inside the four walls of the changing room, but in training, out on the pitch, individual mentality and so on.

"It was unacceptable at Fylde.

"If I want to be manager here next season, I've got to start winning games.

"The players understand where I'm coming from after we had a chat at the end.

"The message is you have to start showing up every week from the first whistle or you don't play, because I can't afford to put my trust in you guys if you are going to keep losing games.

"I'm working 90-100 hours a week at this job.

"It's taking over my life, I'm putting my heart and soul into it and I'm getting players who leave me wondering are they interested?

"I'll find out for certain in the next couple of weeks, and if they're not, they won't be at this club."