Saints manager Steve Castle admits he cannot afford to bring a striker in despite their mounting problems in attack.

Veteran defender Mark Peters led the front line in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to Chelmsford City at Clarence Park in another damning reflection of their lack of striking options.

New Senegal striker Lamine Sagna again started on the bench with the manager seemingly unconvinced by his ability to find the net.

But Castle admitted: "It would be great if we could get ourselves a seasoned striker but at this stage of the season they're going to cost a lot of money and we can’t afford it. If they're doing well and scoring goals at a football club, why would they let them go?"

"We haven't got an awful lot else. Gary's [Cohen] a bit of an enigma at times. Drew [Roberts] does OK but might need someone up there with him. Mark will get a lot more possession up there and we're just trying to find a permutation until we can get this elusive striker in."

The Saints failed to score for the third time in the last four games and Castle is increasingly concerned by St Albans City's lack of goal threat. His side didn't look like scoring against Chelmsford and he accused his side of not having enough attempts on goal.

Castle said: "I think we over complicated things. When you get into wide areas the ball has to come in with quality crosses. When you get in and around the box you have to get your shots off. We were looking for an incredible ball that never happened. The leading example was their goal, which was probably the only bit of quality on the park.

"It was a very similar story. We huffed and puffed in possession but just over complicated things.

"We've got to get more crosses in and more shots and then you might get some deflections or chances from corners. Our set plays were awful again and we just shot ourselves in the foot every time.

"I keep on saying it, if you're not going to score a goal then we're always putting ourselves under pressure. The best result we're going to get is a draw. The bottom line is there wasn't enough chances and we haven’t scored a goal."

The defeat could have been greater if it wasn't for an excellent performance by Saints goalkeeper Paul Bastock.

"Paul's done absolutely fantastic," Castle said. "He was outstanding. He's kept us in it to a degree but we haven't tested their goalkeeper.

"You've got to test these goalkeepers out. The cardinal sin is from set plays is to not miss the first man. Every single corner got cleared by the first man. It's good players making silly mistakes. You keep on encouraging them and they're honest lads but you hope they're going to take it on board."

City host Bromley on Saturday only two weeks after losing to them 2-0 and Castle is keen for his players to learn from their mistakes.

He said: "The lads that are playing in there have got to learn and learn fast. If they can learn from it, it might be a good thing for their careers but they have to take it on board and not keep making the same mistakes.

"We've played almost everybody and I haven't seen anything outstanding in this league. For the budget we've got we're really competing."