Barnet head coach Martin Allen says his side must find different ways to beat sides whilst captain Charlie MacDonald is injured.

The Bees skipper has been ruled out for up to a month after suffering knee ligament damage in Barnet’s 3-0 victory over Dover Athletic last Wednesday.

MacDonald has missed Barnet’s last two but Allen is in no rush to bring in short-term cover for the 33-year-old hitman.

He said: “I suppose it is something to look at. I thought that we were pretty average in the first half at Telford but fantastic in the second half. I think we started tonight’s game really well but faded as the game went on. There was still plenty of effort, but just lacking that bit of quality and creativity.

“These games are going to be difficult, but we are going to have to find a way and work out different ways of beating the opposition because at the moment it has not been good enough.”

Player-coach Jon Nurse deputised for MacDonald in Tuesday’s 1-0 home defeat by Wrexham and Allen was pleased with the 33-year-old’s impact.

He enthused: “I thought he [Nurse] was superb on Saturday at Telford, he really was. He led the line well; he certainly improved our team when he went onto the pitch. He’s got energy, he’s got enthusiasm and he has got a running power. He turned their team numerous times during the first half, but we didn’t quite get a goal from his good play.

“I thought he was superb and if anything he should have stayed on the pitch for longer than I kept him on and that was a mistake on my part I think.”

Also in contention to partner John Akinde up front will be Jamal Lowe, though the 20-year-old has only made two substitute appearances for the Bees this season.

Midfielder Mauro Vilhete will also miss out; whilst defender Jack Saville is expect to be out for “another two to three weeks minimum” after suffering an ankle ligament problem.

Visitors Altrincham sit 19th in the Conference table with two wins from ten – both of which have come at home.

Lee Sinnott’s side – who were promoted to the Conference via the Conference North play-offs last term – lost 4-0 at Kidderminster in their last league clash, a game which Sinnott felt his side were “architects of their own downfall”.

Speaking to the Sale and Altrincham Messenger, Sinnott said: "We were the architects of our own downfall. For 35 minutes, we were bright and strong but needed a better efficiency in the final third.

"I was a bit annoyed at the way we went behind, and then conceded again so quickly, but after the way we started, and continued asking questions even with 10 men in the second half, we should have taken something from the game.”

Alty will be without Simon Richman, who is suspended after picking up two bookings in defeat at Aggborough.