SLICK Selkirk sent out a warning message to the Lowland League on Saturday as they took apart Edinburgh University during an impressive opening half.

But manager Steve Forrest was left scratching his head after the break as his talented team couldn’t repeat their exploits.

And in the end they were fortunate to escape with all three points.

Forrest told us: “There wasn’t much of a team talk at half time as the players had done everything right in that first half.

“The only down side from the opening 45 minutes was that we hadn’t taken a lot of those chances.

“I’m delighted to get the points as that was all we were after today.

“Edinburgh University are always a difficult team to beat and we had to work hard in the second half to win.” With an array of new faces on show in the home ranks nobody was expecting the dominant display they served up during the opening half hour.

Fraser Neave and Phil Addison tormented on the flanks and the central midfield pairing of Ross Gray and Connor Handren enjoyed almost full control.

After a few early half chances it was Addison who opened the scoring on 12 minutes.

Selkirk’s longest-serving player curled a tremendous freekick into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Garry O’Connor, who was energetic and lively throughout, was twice denied by keeper Mark Tait in the space of three minutes.

And the former Scotland star also smashed a low shot inches past the far post as the home team continued to press.

The Students managed a few counter attacks during the opening half but the central defensive partnership of Conan McDermid and teenager James Harley were clinical with their clearances.

O’Connor was yet again denied by Tait on 26 minutes after he ran onto an Addison pass.

And just four minutes later Addison curled another freekick against the bar.

Uni defender Paul Sutherland somehow got in the way to deflect a goal-bound O’Connor shot round the post with his behind.

And Fraser Neave, after running onto a Gray through ball, also saw his angled shot deflect just over.

Perhaps the effects of playing at a high tempo began to take its toll after the interval as the slick passing deserted Selkirk.

As the second half wore on Uni began to create their own chances.

Joe Aitken shot a foot over on the hour before Jamie Newman smothered at his feet a few minutes later.

A Jack Guthrie effort deflected just wide on 70 minutes as the visitors’ searched for an equaliser.

And Newman made a spectacular save to push Aitken’s shot wide a few minutes later.

Selkirk were still creating themselves, but it was much more direct. Harley headed a corner just wide before O’Connor snatched a shot beyond the far post.

They needed a second goal and it came on 83 minutes with Gray running onto a long ball to hold off two challenges and squeeze a shot below Tait.

Manager Forrest added: “We lost our shape a bit in the second half and a few of the boys tired.

“We’ll improve with each game and I’m just happy with the win.” Selkirk. J Newman, M Christie, C McDermid, J Harley, M Samson, C Handren, R Gray, L Page, G O’Connor, F Neave (R Scott 80) & P Addison (J McInally 77). Unused subs. F Moulet, J Hay, J Bruce, S Ritchie & C Malcolm.

Edinburgh University. M Tait, F Thomson, H McIntosh, P Sutherland, D Black, J Maelger, N Evans (M Verkaik 42), C Murray, J Guthrie, J Aitken & D Maskrey.