BURY boss Kevin Blackwell admits his side are missing a key ingredient after failing to find the winning formula for the fourth successive league match.

The 54-year-old coach highlighted his misfiring forward line as the source of the problem after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge, accusing them of “resting on their laurels” following a promising start to the season.

“They have got to do more, it’s as simple as that” he said.

“I thought if we had opened up then we could have beaten them to be honest, but we didn’t show the devilment in the final third that we have been missing for the last three weeks.

“The front four I thought were poor, once again, just as they were last week and the week before.

“I’m not sure whether they are resting on their laurels, so that’s where we have got to try to shake it up a little bit.”

Bury certainly haven’t been able to rekindle the fluent football that saw them brush aside Cheltenham Town with four well-worked goals.

Since then they have only managed three goals and Blackwell’s patience looks to be wearing thin.

Shaun Harrad, who started the season as the number one striker, was dropped completely after being hauled off at half time in the previous draw at home to Southend.

And vice-captain Tom Soares, who was also replaced at the break against the Shrimpers, watched the Dagenham defeat from the bench.

Fans favourite Jessy Reindorf was handed his first start up front but showed just why Blackwell describes the rookie as a “long term project” with a raw, uncultured display.

With Marlon Jackson failing a fitness test, and Ashley Grimes and Tope Obadeyi out injured, seemingly the only option Blackwell now has of “shaking things up” would be to dip into the loan market.

After bringing in Wigan full-back Jordan Mustoe this week, he admits that may prove tricky. Bury had four loan players in Saturday’s side and the Football League’s limit is five in any matchday squad.

“I have used the loan market as much as I can,” said the Bury boss.

“The problem is that I might have to get one or two more in but that takes you over the limit and then you are going to have to leave people out.

“At the moment all of the loan players are playing so that does make it tricky.

“Overall, we are not a million miles away but we are definitely missing something and it will take time to get that right.”