Saints boss Steve Castle is still hopeful of bringing in a new striker to boost his attack after a registration problem was resolved.

The St Albans City manager was unable to sign players last week after red tape prevented the club from completing the registration process. But the transfer setback is now over and Castle is desperate to strengthen his options up front for his goal-shy team.

Castle said: "It would be nice to get someone else in but it is ongoing. There are a few bits and pieces happening between now and the next game.

"We've played 13 games and it is evident we are competing well. We're solid in midfield and our back four is strong but we're just not scoring and creating enough goals. That is our priority.

"We've had a registration problem over the last two weeks and now that's cleared up hopefully we can get a few people in," he contined. "It was a bit of a problem for us but that's all resolved now.

"It hasn't been for the want of trying but we've just been scuppered for the last ten days. But it will obviously be down to the budget so we may have to get a couple out just to get a couple in. We've got a severe lack of strikers at the moment which everyone is aware of but I'm reasonably happy with things."

City ran Blue Square South leaders Newport County close at Clarence Park on Saturday before losing 1-0 after a second-half shot slipped through goalkeeper Paul Bastock's grasp. But Castle insists he will keep faith with the veteran shot stopper despite the howler.

"He was on the edge of the box, he's got a yard and Paul Bastock's apologised," Castle revealed. "It's gone very quick but I would have probably said Paul would have saved that eight times out of ten.

"Paul is still right up there with the best goalkeepers in the league but he was absolutely devastated after the game about conceding the goal. It was unfortunate but after what he has put into this club over the years there is no reason why I'd be looking to change things on that front."

Castle was encouraged by the performance from his young side and claims their tactics were so effective the visiting pacesetters were forced into changing their gameplan.

"It was a compliment to ourselves that they changed their formation," he added. "We had them tactically sussed and they had to change things. They couldn't live with us to a degree.

"We had some pockets of play that were absolutely fantastic but just couldn't finish things off. We were a whisker away first half with a couple of great moves. Then we had another opportunity with Alex Bailey in the second half.

"I thought we were the better team but one true bit of quality has decided the match."

The Saints travel to Aveley in the FA Youth Cup tomorrow night in the third qualifying round, with the winners earning a home tie in the first round against Colchester United.

Castle said: "That will be be a tough game. I'll put my youth head on and the lads are right up for the game. Let's hope they don't go over the top with that because I think they're a little bit too over confident if I'm honest.

"I hope they listen to this because they'll be brought back down to earth and we'll go and play a game of football with hopefully the desire we had in the last two rounds."