SELBY TOWN slipped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Shirebrook Town in their hard-fought NCEL division one clash at Flaxley Road.

Although former York City striker Tom Chamberlain pulled one back before half-time, two goals in quick succession in the first half from Robert Camm and Liam Greenfield handed the Derbyshire side three points.

The Robins now sit 14th and have won once in their last five games in all competitions.

They started brightly as Danny Norton tested the goalkeeper with a firm volley and Will Ramsey’s diagonal narrowly escaped the controlling touch of Craig Muirhead.

Selby’s inability to impose themselves further was punished just before the half hour. Shirebrook’s Matty Ord picked up Antony Rowley’s slide-rule pass into the left channel. Having beaten defender Liam Stonehouse, midfielder Ord played a perfectly weighted cross into the path of Camm, who applied a simple finish.

The visitors doubled their lead within minutes. Goalkeeper Ciaran Gibson fired a clearance straight into Chris Banks, which ballooned up and fell kindly for Greenfield, who executed a deft lob into the vacant net.

Selby squandered two glaring opportunities to get themselves back into the contest. A spill from Nick Siddons presented a close-range chance for Danny Bunch, who leaned back on his effort and hooked over. Shortly after, Bunch found another opening following a corner, which he blazed over in similar fashion.

Chamberlain made no mistake just before the break for his fourth goal of the season. Muirhead played the ball around the corner and the striker squared Stu Hill up 15 yards from goal, dragged the ball onto his right and fired a superb effort in off the far post.

The hosts began the second-half with gusto, but Shirebrook came close to putting the game out of sight when Camm’s right footed effort cannoned against the crossbar.

Finn Kelly, introduced at the interval, thought he had scored when he lobbed Siddons from well outside the box. A late offside flag kept him from levelling.

Substitute Chris Jackson tested the keeper a number of times from range, but came mightily close when Chamberlain’s cross found his head six yards out, although he could only send his effort over.

Manager Dave Ricardo said: “We’re disappointed and frustrated. We’ve created chances and in general play we were the better side.

“Tom Chamberlain’s goal came at a good time, but in the second half you are fighting an uphill battle. They are unbeaten in ten games and you can see why, the shape and the personnel shows that they are going to be hard to break down.

“I couldn’t see us winning it, but we could have got a draw. We created good opportunities, but didn’t choose the right option and weren’t clinical enough.

“That’s just the way things are going for us at the moment.”