The super second-half showing saw the Souters come from behind with four goals to keep up their title challenge.

And also brought a smile to the manager’s face. Forrest said: “We were doing plenty of running around in the first half without ever doing all that much.

“You could see the heads start to go down after half an hour – they were feeling sorry for themselves.

“There were a few choice words said at half time. They certainly knew we weren’t happy with them.

“I thought we were excellent in the second half and deserved the win.” Selkirk’s high defensive line looked vulnerable from the kick off with Josh Morris making a couple of early breaks.

The former Berwick Rangers striker eventually turned the warnings into a 10th minute goal as he darted clear on the left and fired low beyond Anthony Bal.

Selkirk responded with Phil Addison steering a Garry O’Connor cross against Mark Wilson’s post.

Jason Stevens should have doubled the lead on 20 minutes as he again exposed the visiting defence but he was denied by the feet of Bal after charging into the area.

James Elliot did manage to round the French keeper on the half hour but was crowded out by Selkirk’s retreating defenders close to the line.

Selkirk’s usual fluency was missing throughout the opening 45 minutes – and they had to rely on set pieces to trouble Vale’s goal.

They were denied an equaliser by a couple of fantastic Wilson saves from corners. A Sean Guiney header on 35 minutes was pushed onto the bar by the keeper. And less than a minute later he produced a remarkable reaction save to deny an O’Connor header.

Following the break Selkirk quickly gained the momentum with Addison and Stephen Anderson both testing Wilson.

The equaliser arrived just after the hour – and it had a touch of fortune about it.

Daryl Johnson’s attempt from distance deflected into the path of Benji Huteau and the Frenchman fired low and hard into the far corner of the net.

Wilson denied Addison with a good block before Jon McInally edged the visitors in front with a curling freekick from out wide, which was missed by every player in the box, including the keeper.

Greig Tulloch almost levelled for the home team in a rare second half attack but Bal produced a good stop.

And when Addison’s fantastic header sailed into the top corner on 78 minutes the points were secured.

Vale were reduced to nine men in the dying minutes after Jordyn Gill’s two-footed tackle deservedly warranted a straight red card.

Jack Blaikie, who had been magnificent all afternoon in marshalling O’Connor, followed his team-mate up the tunnel for his remarks during the aftermath.

O’Connor took full advantage of Blaikie’s departure by heading home a fourth in stoppage time.

Vale manager Mark Lamb said: “It was a disappointing way to end a game which we started so well.

“I have no complaints about Jordyn’s red card although I’m a bit puzzled about Jack’s.” Vale of Leithen. M Wilson, R Sclater, J Gill, E Sanderson (I Little 84), J Blaikie, J Elliot, R Brady, K O’Brien, S Lynch (G Tulloch 68), J Morris & J Stevens.

Selkirk. A Bal, Y Bechairia (B Milven 83), J Tonnelle, J Orain, S Guiney, G O’Connor, J McInally, D Johnson, P Addison, B Huteau & S Anderson (C Scott 79).