Sensational Selkirk stun Spartans

But it took a huge second-half swing for the Souters to edge this Yarrow Park thriller.

The Ainslie Park club had dominated a scoreless opening 45 minutes - squandering countless opportunities.

Selkirk’s stunning second-half resurgence made for a match which will be remembered long after the end of this season.

Manager Steve Forrest told us: “We were terrible in the first half and it took some harsh words at half time.

“I thought we were magnificent in the second half - we were the better team and deserved to win.” Phil Addison, who scored two goals and set up Garry O’Connor’s late winner, will rightly be regarded as Wednesday evening’s hero.

But it was the central defensive pairing of James Harley and Mark Samson along with keeper Jamie Newman who deserve all the plaudits from the first half.

Spartans looked dangerous from the whistle with Aaron Murrell’s pace causing early problems.

Daniel Ward was reaching the byline for fun to cross in dangerous balls.

And Dean Horribine was a continuous threat with his runs from midfield.

Spartans had already squandered a couple of half chances before Newman pushed Murrell’s scuffed shot onto the bar after 16 minutes.

A Ward header was also well saved by Newman.

And just a few minutes later the same Spartans player lobbed the ball inches past the far post.

Edward Malone went close on the half hour as he nipped in at the front post to head a corner straight across the face of goal.

Selkirk did relieve the pressure with a few chances of their own.

A Florian Moulet freekick on 20 minutes fell to Addison just five yards from goal but keeper Blair Carswell smothered at his feet.

And O’Connor managed to turn away from his marker on 36 minutes to force another good save out of the goalie.

But it was Spartans who should have gone in with at least one goal in the bag.

Kayde Reynolds made a terrific headed clearance from under his own crossbar.

And a Ward header on the stroke of half time was well saved by Newman.

Spartans still looked the most likely after the interval with Craig Stevenson curling a terrific freekick against the bar on 47 minutes.

But Selkirk looked much more of a force with the introduction of Jon McInally and some reshaping at the break.

Ross Gray forced a great block from Carswell and Addison also went within inches of breaking the deadlock.

But the Souters found themselves trailing after 51 minutes.

Horribine collected a half-cleared cross just outside the area and his low drive nestled in the far, bottom corner of the net.

It was a deserved lead, but back came the home team.

Within 30 seconds of the restart O’Connor barged through but somehow Carswell prevented his toe-poke crossing the line.

Selkirk did equalise on the hour with McInally’s deep cross being steered into the net by Addison at the back post.

And five minutes later they went in front.

O’Connor’s knock down some 35 yards from goal was hit first time by Addison and Carswell could only watch as the shot sailed over his head and into the net.

It was a sublime strike that was deserving of winning any match.

But back came Spartans and with five minutes to go substitute Keith Murray latched onto a loose ball to drill it into the net from 20 yards.

Selkirk were far from done. O’Connor’s flick on 89 minutes was grabbed from the head of Gray by Carswell.

And two minutes later Addison nipped in front of Ward to steal the ball and square for O’Connor to blast the winner into the net.

There was still time for Spartans to score again with a Jamie Dishington header but Newman had been clearly fouled in the build up.

Manager Forrest added: “We showed a lot of character to keep coming back. I am thrilled with that second half performance and the result. These are the nights you enjoy as a football supporter.” Selkirk. J Newman, M Christine, K Reynolds, J Harley, M Christie, C Handren, F Moulet (J McInally 46), R Gray, G O’Connor, F Neave (M Collin 68) & P Addison (J Hay 90).

Spartans. B Carswell, A Brown, E Malone, J Dishington, P Thomson (C Anderson 69), D Greenhill, C Stevenson, D Ward, A Murrell (K Murray 62), M Herd & D Horribine.