THE heroics of Wednesday evening’s win over Spartans were quickly forgotten on Saturday as Selkirk slumped to their first defeat of the season.

And the only surprise at the final whistle was that a determined Dalbeattie team hadn’t scored more.

Selkirk were caught out from three set pieces and only the woodwork and some fine saves prevented a few others finding the net.

Manager Steve Forrest told us: “It was terrible and there’s not much more to say.

“We were flat from the kick off and nobody got going. Our defending was atrocious at times and we got what we deserved.

“I’m bitterly disappointed and so are my players.” Selkirk should have taken notice of a few early corners which saw Justin Nicholl shoot just wide and Craig Neill smack the crossbar.

But similar poor marking on eight minutes allowed Ritchie Maxwell to head home a corner at the near post after defender Jordan Bruce completely missed the ball.

Selkirk strung plenty of passes together without really troubling Darren Martin’s goal.

Worse was to follow for the home team on 27 minutes with referee David Doig awarding a penalty when Connor Handren caught the heels of Lewis Sloan.

Jamie McHarrie slotted the spot kick beyond Jamie Newman.

Newman tipped a curling effort from Justin Nicholl over the bar a few minutes later.

But Star hit the net again on 36 minutes with Tommy Muir finding plenty space to head home another corner.

Phil Addison should have pulled a goal back before the break but he headed Jon McInally’s freekick a foot over from 12 yards out.

There was a brief revival from the home team after the interval and they were rewarded with Garry O’Connor finally breaking free of his marker to blast a low shot inside the near post.

And on the hour the former Scotland striker headed a McInally cross against the bar.

Dalbeattie continued to be a threat on the break with Muir and Sloan both going within inches of stretching the lead.

The fourth goal arrived on 75 minutes with Lee Wells rising above the defence to head Sloan’s curling freekick high into the net.

The late introduction of Jack Hay heralded a late charge from Selkirk with the former Gala striker twice lobbing just wide of the target.

And in injury time Bruce blasted over from five yards out to complete a miserable day for the Yarrow Park faithful.

Selkirk. J Newman, J Bruce, M Samson (K Reynolds 28), J Harley, C McDiarmid, C Handren (S Ritchie 76), R Gray, J McInally, G O’Connor, P Addison & F Neave (J Hay 76).