TAUNTON Town manager Paul West has stepped up his search for a striker in a bid to solve the side’s goalscoring problem.

The Peacocks are without a goal in their last three games and have netted just ten in 13 league matches this season.

And they have slipped to fourth from bottom in Division One South and West of the Zamaretto League after defeats at Paulton Rovers and at home to fellow strugglers Mangotsfield United this week, which made it eight losses in a row.

West is fully aware where the side’s problem lies but admits the club’s well-publicised lack of funds will prove a sticking point.

He said: “I know exactly where things are going wrong.

“You don’t win games if you can’t score and if you’re not getting goals, it just puts pressure on the defence.

“I’ve made enquiries but my problem is that £40 a week is not enough to get a goalscorer at this level.”

However, West is refusing to be downbeat about the side’s form. He said: “I won’t get down about things because that won’t solve anything.

“For the first time this season, I let rip at the players in the dressing room at half-time against Mangotsfield as we were very poor.

“But in the previous two games we didn’t play badly.

“The lads did everything I asked of them at Tiverton in the cup last Wednesday and we more than matched Paulton for long periods but couldn’t finish out chances.

“We’ve got to keep working to put things right.”

Some good news for Taunton is the signing of midfielder Andy Butler from neighbours Wellington. West is also meeting with former Bashley and Newport Isle of Wight striker Paddy Taylor, who is in the Navy, this week.

Taunton are home to Bedfont Green in the league on Saturday and travel to play Toolstation League side Wells City in the Somerset Premier Cup on Tuesday.