Phil Parkinson admitted to feeling ‘a little bit helpless’ after seeing Altrincham taken apart by title-chasing Wrexham in a 4-0 defeat at the Racecourse Ground on Easter Monday.

Alty deservedly held third-placed FC Halifax Town to a 1-1 home draw three days earlier, but they had no answer to the power and precision of a Wrexham side who still harbour hopes of overhauling Stockport County for top place in the National League.

The Welsh side went ahead after only two minutes and hit Alty with three further goals in six minutes before half time to leave Robins boss Parkinson pondering the club’s next step as they consider the practicality of going hybrid or even full time in the near future.

“If teams like Wrexham, or Stockport or Grimsby, are at it, it’s very difficult even if you’re at your absolute best,” he said.

“We did okay for 25 minutes and were in the game, but they were so clinical, and that’s what you are up against in these David v Goliath games.

“That’s the situation we’re in, and you feel a little helpless at times.

“You just hope you have prepared the lads as well as you can and they can go out and compete at the level they are capable of, though they have to perform above their level in some games to have any chance.

“We are disappointed, because we thought we could make a better fist of it, but there are so many Goliaths in this league, and a few eyes have been opened wide in our changing room about what is needed at this level.

“We were beaten by a far superior team. They were ruthless. How to bridge that gap is the task we face in the summer.

“I’m desperate for us to be as competitive as possible, but can we do that as a model?

“It all boils down to money. The board have been brilliant with us this season, and everything has been done in the right manner at the right pace.

“But we need a decision soon on the direction we are going in, because we need to be signing players and recruiting for next season right now.”

Alty are home to Wealdstone on Saturday, kick off 3pm.