Steve Burr says his Chester FC side 'massively let down' the supporters who travelled to Altrincham on New Year's Day.
Two goals apiece for Nicky Clee and Damian Reeves gave the Robins a dominant 4-1 win at Moss Lane and took them above the Blues, who had Ibou Touray sent off, in the Vanarama Conference.
Chester had a sizeable following but the fans, many of whom were drenched with rain on the open terrace, had only a 28th minute John Rooney free kick to cheer.
Defeat means the Blues, who had hoped to build on a fine win at FC Halifax Town, have dropped to 17th in the table and further reinforced the squad's need for fresh blood.
Burr said after the game: "I'm very, very disappointed with that. We take one step forward then take a giant step back.
"It was just nowhere near good enough or the type of performance we showed just a few days ago up at Halifax.
"We had a great following and we literally took the ground over with Chester fans so I just feel for them because they back us so much.
"After the travelling support at Halifax and to come here and put on that type of performance in front of the people who have come here, I really do feel we've let them down massively, really massively.
"We've just got to look at where we are with the squad and try and get improvements in to kick us on in the new year."
Altrincham, who won 2-0 at the Swansway Chester Stadium on Boxing Day, again dominated midfield, countered with pace and were full value for the conclusive win.
Burr did not accept the Robins wanted the win more but acknowledged his side were well beaten.
He said: "It appears like that when you've had a beating like that. I'd never want to think a team want it more than you and they shouldn't do.
"It will appear like that because of the nature of how we didn't play and the performance of Altrincham.
"We didn't get off to a great start with the first goal and then obviously the sending off has not helped us in any way, shape or form
"It's just really disappointing because we seemed to have got to a level of where we are at and we just can't get over that barrier and obviously with that we need to put an injection of new people in there who can take us now to that next one."
Burr had no complaints with the 56th minute dismissal of Touray for a reckless challenge on Clee. Touray will now serve an automatic three-match ban, starting with the home game against Braintree Town ion Sunday (3pm).
Gareth Roberts should come back in for Touray and the manager hopes to have Ryan Higgins, who has agreed a move from AFC Telford United, available to face the Irons.
"There was no doubt about it," said Burr.
"I don't think you got away with that 10 years ago so that was disappointing. It was a moment of madness really.
"I don't know what Ibby was thinking and it didn't help our cause. It was really disappointing.
"We'll get the lads in at training over the next couple of days and see where we are for the Braintree game."
