By Phil Dearnley

SELBY Town sit sixth in Northern Counties East League division one after a second-half collapse saw them lose 4-3 at Ollerton Town.

The Robins led 3-1 with half an hour to go thanks to goals from Liam Flanagan, Dan Davison and the returning Calum Ward but a late Jacques Etia brace, including a 93rd-minute penalty, condemned Selby to a second league defeat on the bounce.

Selby started the season strongly but they now have work to do to make themselves serious play-off candidates again.

Selby boss Christian Fox started Ward in the middle of the front three, with Harry Clapham on the right and Flanagan on the left. Surprisingly, second-top scorer Flynn McNaughton dropped to the bench.

After early pressure from Ollerton Town, Selby seized control. Playing on the floor, the ball was worked to Clapham on the right touchline in the fourth minute. After a run towards the by-line, he picked out Liam Flanagan on the far side of the penalty area and the talismanic striker dispatched a well-taken overhead effort on the bounce.

Selby were largely in control and Davison extended their advantage in the 21st minute, again after good work from Clapham, from whose cross an Ollerton defender's attempted clearance rebounded in off Davison.

Ollerton responded with an increased intensity, which caused problems for Selby, and it was no surprise when - seven minutes later - the hosts pulled one back. A shot towards goal ricocheted to Ben Partridge on the left side of the Town defence. He advanced before coolly slotting the ball across Dylan Parkin into the net.

Ollerton were in the ascendancy but hard work kept the attackers at bay and Selby, though not comfortably, ahead at half-time.

The second half started well for the Robins, who had a flurry of efforts through Charlie Clamp, Kain Rogerson and Flanagan, while Clapham continued to cause the defence problems.

Selby were then relieved to see an Ollerton counter-attack from a corner come to nothing and, to rub salt into the wounds, Ward - whose stint away included a spell for Garforth Town - turned his marker and drew the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home.

Ollerton keeper Levi Owen was then called upon to make three really good saves to keep out Liam Flanagan and Ryan Gothard.

Though 3-1 down, Ollerton were far from out of the game and overran Selby as they looked to get back into the contest.

Livewire centre forward Elia had a goal-bound shot blocked before a run down Selby’s left saw a low cross into the penalty box. Parkin was unable to catch the ball, and could only parry the ball out towards the penalty area. No Selby player was within yards of full-back George Slack as he slotted past the goalkeeper in the 72nd minute.

Seven minutes later, Ollerton had their equaliser. The ball was easily given away in midfield, allowing a ball in to Etia on Selby’s right. From about 25 yards, he cut inside before smashing the ball into the top corner of the net leaving Parkin with no chance.

Clapham had a run ending with a saved shot, followed by a melee which earned Myles Lawman, a substitute for Clamp, a booking along with two Ollerton players.

As the match ticked on into time added on, it was still Ollerton who were on the front foot - and sure enough, a challenge in the penalty box resulted in the award of a spot kick. Up stepped Etia, who made no mistake in beating Dylan Parkin.

Selby are back in action tonight (7.45pm) in the West Riding County Cup first round. They host Northern Premier League east division outfit Ossett United.