The main difference has been automatic relegation from the league, particularly 2 up 2 down. When you had re-election, it was the dead wood that got booted out - Workington, Barrow, Southport etc. A lot of the clubs recently relegated are well supported and resourced compared to us. Exeter, York, Oxford etc.
Then you have the traditional non-league clubs that are either bankrolled or building up debt, particularly by going to full time to compete with the big ex league clubs.
Then you have us. We don't have the support base and we won't go into debt.
Its worth remembering how many clubs who were strong in the Conference through the eighties and nineties are now in the lower leagues. The fact we're still hanging in there says a lot.