Since winning the British title in 2019, results have deteriorated and squad strength diminished.
And Whittington didn’t attempt to gloss over the situation after a chastening defeat at the Sport Park.
“That is our level,” he said, as he contemplated a five-game winless run.
Despite USW striker Niro Gowan scoring a brace, goals from Bristol’s Amit Waiss, Jack Bilbruck, Alec Holifield and Josh Pritchard-Cairns ensured a dominant win for the visitors.
Whittington added: “An honest summary of it… I think that is our level in terms of where we are at as a football programme at the moment.
“It’s probably been coming over the last couple of years.
Pic: Ben Withers
“Institutes have overtaken us in terms of resources, infrastructure, and the focus they are putting on it.
“I think we’re starting to find out where our level is at the moment.
“We played well in moments of the game but our managing of key moments punished us, whether that’s giving a foul-throw or a penalty away.
“We made some poor decisions with and without the ball. We think we get a foothold and then something happens that allows them to score from a transition and they grew into the game. It’s disappointing.”
In regard to the opposition, Whittington said: “They played very similar to what they played like when we played them in Bristol.
“They played a 4-2-3-1, quite fluid, pressed out of possession.
“But I didn’t really think it was tactical outwitting, it was probably more individual moments. I think they just punished us at some transition moments and just exploited any opportunities they had.”
USW will hope to end their winless run with an away trip to Cardiff Met 2nds next week.
Meanwhile, Bristol 1sts will hope to make it five wins in seven as they travel to play Cambridge 1sts.