Selkirk 1

Gretna 2

David Knox at Yarrow Park

UPBEAT Garry O’Connor believes his team are far too good to be second bottom of the Lowland League.

And he may be right.

But another afternoon of missed opportunities leaves the Yarrow Park club sitting precariously close to the relegation place.

O’Connor said: “We have lacked a bit of fight recently but that wasn’t the case today.

"We showed plenty of spirit and we all know the quality is there.

"If we had converted half of our chances today we would all be sitting happily here with three points.

"We need a little more luck coming our way, and I’m sure if we keep working hard it will come.

"We are better than the league position suggests and I know we'll start getting the results we need."

An early Richard Murray header gave Gretna a deserved lead after only eight minutes.

And only some scrambled defending prevented the Raydale team increasing their lead.

But Selkirk grew into the game with debutant Unpha Koroma and his captain Ricky Millar beginning to win the midfield battle.

The 23-year-old, who was born in the British Virgin Islands, spent two seasons at Stoke City as well as several non-league English clubs.

And his partnership with Millar could prove pivotal in pushing Selkirk up the table.

The home team’s equaliser arrived on 27 minutes with Millar stroking home Phil Addison’s low cross at the back post.

Mark Docharty’s debut was also eye-catching for the home team. The 16-year-old full back defied his years with a confident and mature display on the flank.

Selkirk were denied a penalty on the half hour when Ross King was slid off the ball by Jake Smith inside the area.

And just a minute later Addison missed a sitter when he scooped Dale Baxter’s cross over the bar from 12 yards.

A terrific near post save from Daniel Armstrong somehow stopped Millar scoring from a corner on 36 minutes.

But Gretna also went close just before the interval with Murray’s back header clipping the post.

Addison danced his way through two challenges to shoot over on 43 minutes – and just 90 seconds later Kerr Scott did well to open up space and force an excellent save from Armstrong.

Just three minutes after the interval Scott was through on goal after a clever reverse pass from Addison but the youngster appeared to trip with only the keeper to beat.

And moments later Addison turned well to rifle a shot straight into the midriff of the Gretna keeper.

But, as the sleet showers arrived, the chances began to dry up.

Rob McCartney did drive a low shot a foot past Gregor Amos’ post just after the hour.

And 15 minutes later the striker was to seal victory for the visitors after holding off a challenge from Andrew Fleming to slot the ball into the bottom corner.

Selkirk replied with Millar shooting a foot over and, in injury time, an Addison volley which was saved by Armstrong.

O’Connor added: “I’m not going away from here disappointed.

“We have a very talented young team who will come good.”

Selkirk: G Amos, M Docharty (G Nicholson 82), M Christie, J Harley, A Fleming, R Millar, R King (J Doyle 78), K Scott (M Collin 58), D Baxter, P Addison & U Koroma.