PHIL Parkinson shrugged aside the disappointment of a narrow defeat to promotion-chasing Bromley and insisted it was compelling evidence that Altrincham are ‘miles’ better than they were last season.

Alty piled on the pressure in a late onslaught but missed chance after chance as third-placed Bromley somehow held on for a 1-0 win.

It left the Robins without a win in four National League games, but Parkinson saw more clear signs his side are moving in the right direction.

“We are miles ahead of where we were last season,” said the Alty boss. “Bromley easily kept us at arm’s length and won comfortably last season, whereas they have just come off the pitch relieved and thankful that they have managed to hang on.

“We were ever so dominant and deserved to win, never mind draw, against a big, full-time team. The reaction to going behind was second to none, and the way we have been scoring and sticking chances away, you are so sure a goal is going to come.

“It should have done, with the chances we created. I’m not going to criticise the players on that, because it would be incredibly harsh after the way they have performed and given their all.

“If there was something major to be concerned about, I would be saying something different, but there isn’t. It is difficult to take when we lose, but the football was a joy to watch, full of intensity, quality and bravery.

“It had everything except the end-product, but you can’t criticise. We do score goals and have been doing - it just wasn’t our day.

“You would struggle to tell who the full-time team were, but it does make a difference when you are in a part-time environment. We are punching above our weight, and I don’t care if I sound like a broken record saying that. Imagine the level of performance we would get out of these players if we could work with them all week.

“We have to aim to be better in front of goal, and at keeping them out at the other end, but it is exceptional what we are doing.”

Josh Hancock scored after 35 seconds, but Alty still went on to lose 3-2 at home to Nantwich Town in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night. Ben Pringle was their other scorer.