Cheltenham Town manager Keith Downing says the search for new forward players goes on despite the disappointment of missing out on brothers Michael and Rory Boulding.

The pair, who were with Mansfield Town last season, informed Downing last night that they would not be joining Cheltenham Town and instead would be moving to a club closer to their Sheffield home.

The news comes as another disappointment to Downing, who missed out on the signature of Southend United striker Gary Hooper earlier this month when he decided to join Scunthorpe United.

However, the Robins boss is determined to strengthen his squad, using the loan system if necessary, for the forthcoming 2008-09 campaign.

"Michael has decided to stay nearer to his home in Sheffield," said Downing.

"It's a disappointment but he's made his decision. It was not down to money or anything like that but purely the chance to stay closer to home. The chairman has done brilliantly to try and get him here and we put together a good package for Michael and his brother but ulitmately they want to stay in the north.

"We've tried to step up the standard of players we bring in but obviously that means there is more competition. I'm still trying to bring people in whether permanently or on loan and if I have to do loans for three months, six months or longer then we'll do it that way.

"I'll be speaking to Kevin Gall at the weekend and there are other players who are starting to become available now as well. Clubs are starting to get their first team choices sorted out and there are maybe one or two players who are starting to realise that their futures might lie elsewhere. One or two names have cropped up that are starting to interest me so we will continue to pursue them."

Meanwhile, Downing is close to agreeing a new one year contract with Ashley Vincent.

"Ashley has indicated to me that he wants to sign a deal for another year," he said.

"Ashley has been part of things for three or four years now and I think there is more to come from him as well.

"He wants to play up front and did well last night against West Brom alongside Paul Connor. The offer has always been there for Ashley to stay so hopefully we can get that concluded over the next couple of days."