PICTURES: 'Groundhog Day' at Mosset Park as Forres Mechanics squander chances in defeat to Deveronvale but manager Steven MacDonald pleased with experienced signings Ryan McRitchie and Jamie Michie

Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald feels he's repeated himself every week after watching his goal-shy side lose 2-0 at home to Deveronvale.

It was Cans' 12th defeat in their last 17 outings, with eight of those losses coming when they drew a blank on the scoring front.

MacDonald's men have netted just 13 goals during this spell, so it doesn't take a genius to work out what difference a deadly marksman would make to the Forres ranks.

"I seem to be saying the same every week - another disappointing result," he said.

"Someone said to me (after Saturday's game) that we played well but couldn’t score, and that’s been a bit like Groundhog Day for a while now.

"People assume you have to go to the training ground and practice shooting but it’s not a case of that. You watch the boys in training, they are shooting on astro but the finishing is unbelievable, you are thinking it is so good.

"Of course that’s a different scenario, muddy pitches and being under pressure changes things. We do pressurised shooting too but it is a different game on a Saturday.

"You go through one-on-one with the goalkeeper and it’s a different type of pressure. It’s sometimes down to that inexperience, it’s not that they can’t do it, they can 100 per cent and have the ability because we have some really talented young boys.

"They just need that wee bit of help to get them through and get that confidence up. If we had scored at any point on Saturday, we would still believe we could get something from the game."

MacDonald counted up the opportunities that passed his side by during the 90 minutes, but they lost out to Ryan Park's first half double for Vale.

"We had chances early on, then right before half time Calum Frame was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and we didn’t score.

"Craig Mackenzie struck the post and it went right across the line. We could do with even one of those going our way.

"Four minutes into the second half it went right across the front of their goal but no takers.

"Even midway through the second half when Shaun (Morrison) was one-on-one and put it wide - if that goes in it could be a different game.

"Just getting that little bit of confidence is the key. When you lose the first goal, you see the young boys sinking a little bit and you try to keep them going but it does have a hit on them, and it gave Deveronvale something to dig into.

"The boys are coming off saying it’s hard going because we seem to be getting punished for every little thing. We are missing so many chances, so I can’t be overcritical of the defence at losing a soft goal every now and then.

"The defenders can say that they get punished for one mistakes but the strikers are missing six or seven chances and nothing gets said to them. They are feeling a bit sorry for themselves and I was a defender so I’m on their side.

"But it’s really disappointing."

Mechanics don't have the finances to match many of their Highland League rivals in the hunt for a proven goalscorer, and MacDonald will continue to scour the loan market.

But he has carried out some clever business in recruiting two experienced campaigners for his defence and midfield.

Former Rothes stopper Ryan McRitchie impressed on his Cans' debut at centre back on Saturday.

New midfield recruit from Inverurie Locos, Jamie Michie was missing due to work commitments but will be available from now on and his manager feels he can be a valuable addition.

He has only trained once and hasn’t played for a wee while since he finished with Locos so there will definitely be room for improvement in his game fitness but he needs to get going again.

He has trained, he has a good attitude and he will be fine but also needs games and at this time of year it’s difficult to get that.

"Jamie has experience, he is quite a clever footballer. He sees a pass, he’s combative and a good talker in training which was great to see and he can help the younger players in the team.

"That’s what we are looking for, he will be very good in the changing room and that’s the kind of thing we need right now because we are very young and quiet in the changing room.

"Ryan played well, he did really well for his first game since July. He has worked hard in training and done everything that we have given him in training and looked fine, but games are different and it was good that he got his first game and lasted the whole 90 minutes.

"He’s a good player and you will see what he brings us but it's just a case of getting a couple of games under his belt.

"But we could do with adding a striker as well to help the boys out."

Michie will come into Cans' squad for Saturday's league visit to Clachnacuddin and Mark McLauchlan returns from a one-game ban which saw him miss the Vale defeat.