SELKIRK boss Stevie Forrest must have thought he was starring in the film Groundhog Day on Saturday as his side failed to learn from their mistakes.

Three identical goals conceded in a disastrous first half all exposed the same defensive weakness in the Selkirk side – a failure to deal a cross ball – which infuriated Forrest.

The manager said: “It is really frustrating.

“Defensively we were all over the place but we are going to work really hard to solve this problem.

“We conceded two goals from cross balls against East Kilbride and had similar issues against Dalbeattie Star.

“Once again, we have not been outplayed but have caused problems for ourselves.” Anyone following Selkirk cannot complain about value for money, with eight goals scored in this game following nine scored the previous week.

The Colts began the goal fest on 20 minutes as a quickly taken free kick saw captain Andrew Ward head the ball against the bar, allowing forward Andrew Selkirk to score from close range.

An outstanding move involving Phil Addison, Ross Gray and finally Florlan Moulet should have resulted in a goal, only for the Frenchman to fire the ball straight at Colts goalkeeper Sam George, who is on loan from Queens Park.

His miss was punished on 36 minutes as another header struck Selkirk’s bar, and James Barclay was first to head in past a static home defence.

Then, four minutes before the break, it was déjà vu again as Andrew Selkirk scored his second from another cross and subsequent rebound off the bar.

Colts looked composed throughout the first half, but a more direct approach by Selkirk in the second half caused chaos in the visitors’ rearguard.

Garry O’Connor latched onto one long ball to score just three minutes after the break, and the former Scotland striker should have found the net again with an identical chance, only to screw his shot wide.

Selkirk had strong appeals for a penalty on the hour, but referee Evan Cairns thought Gray had gone down too easily from a Ward challenge.

A minute later, Moulet’s 16 yard shot made it 3-2 but more woeful Selkirk defending from a corner allowed Jamie Broadfoot to fire in a fourth for the Colts.

Selkirk still had hope of getting a point with substitute Jack Hay proving dangerous, but with 21 minutes to go, a bizarre series of events sealed the win for Cumbernauld.

Whistler Cairns gave a penalty for a foul on Alex Tilley by Kayde Reynolds, and Andrew Selkirk stepped up to complete his hat-trick. His effort struck the crossbar but the striker reacted to head the ball goalwards again, only for home left back Murray Christie to handball on the line.

Christie was sent off, and Michael Oliver took over penalty duties to make it 5-2, although the goal should have been disallowed, with Andrew Selkirk first to touch the ball after his penalty struck the woodwork.

Hay scored a late goal but it was of little consolation to Selkirk, who suffered their third defeat in a row.

Selkirk: J Newman, M Samson, M Christie, C McDiarmid (S Ritchie 77), J Harley, R Gray, F Moulet, C Handren (J Hay 66), K Reynolds (F Neave 81), P Addison & G O’Connor.