And they it did without captain Daryl Johnson who dramatically left the club in the days leading up to the match.

Johnson was one of four players, who departed Yarrow Park last week.

Jamie Pyper and Stephen Anderson also departed and Paul Tansey was sold to Dalkeith Thistle for an undisclosed fee.

The players left behind competed well enough on Saturday with Florian Moulet, who had been on trial at St Mirren, returning to the centre of midfield.

But a disappointing display by the home team saw few chances created and a couple of simple goals leaked.

Neither team had really threatened before Paul Cook took advantage of an error on the half hour to edge the visitors in front.

Garry O’Connor and Ouzy See posed a bigger threat after the break.

But with seven minutes remaining Star substitute Johnny Baxter made sure the points returned to Dalbeattie as he beat Jamie Newman from close range.

Selkirk manager Steve Forrest told us: “It has not been easy with players coming and going - but we have to look at the longer picture.

“We were a bit disjointed against Dalbeattie and I know we are capable of better.”