Alfreton manager Nicky Law had praise for his forwards after their 3-3 TV draw with Grimsby on Friday, but was disappointed with his defence.
The Reds come to Edgar Street on Monday with their play-off hopes all but over, sitting six points behind fifth placed Gateshead with 21 goals to make up in just two games.
After the Mariners game, which was delayed 75 minutes due to traffic problems for the Mariners coach, Law told the local press: "Again, I am disappointed with the goals we have given away. Teams are not working for them.
"But again, we scored three goals and got one point and I think that’s been us in the last six to eight games, we are having to score too many goals to win a game or stay in a game and I think that’s what’s really let us down towards the back end of the season."
"We get back level, look like we are in the ascendancy again and then it’s another poor goal. The centre half is up in the box, we end up the wrong side of him, bringing him down for a penalty.
“The top and bottom of it is that the defending isn’t good enough, hasn’t been good enough of late, but you have got to look at the goals we have conceded. We are still minus three (goal difference) and we have scored a fair amount of goals. That has been our downfall."
Former Bulls defender Law, who played at Edgar Street during the 1996/7 season at the end of his career, has seen his side concede 16 goals in the last seven - including a 4-1 defeat to Aldershot. Top scorer John Akinde has netted 17 times this season, including a goal in each of his last five games.