A GUTSY fightback from Oxford City Stars proved in vain as leaders Chelmsford Chieftains showed their class to finish 5-3 ahead and inflict a sixth straight defeat.

Having trailed 3-0 after the first period, Stars responded and were only 4-3 adrift with 17 minutes remaining at Oxpens.

But the visitors struck to give themselves a cushion for the latter stages to secure a 13th win from 14 games in English National League South Division 1.

Stars netminder Tom Annetts was busy straight away and among his early saves was one eye-catching block which saw him almost jump out of his goal.

The hosts also had chances to break the deadlock, with their best chance falling to Josh Oliver, who fired a shot into the side netting.

Chieftains went ahead in the tenth minute, Juraj Huska firing in unassisted.

Within a minute it was 2-0, when Cameron Bartlett and Daniel Wright set up Grant Bartlett to score.

Stars came within a whisker of conceding a third in quick succession, but this time the piping came to the rescue.

Although the home side looked to find a response, Chieftains possessed a greater cutting edge.

Bartlett bagged his second goal of the night in the 17th minute to put the leaders in charge.

A frenetic spell at the start of the second period led to Stars finally getting on the scoreboard, when Jaroslav Cesky added the finishing touch to a move which involved Logan Prince and Alan Green.

The game was briefly paused to allow fans to throw teddy bears on to the ice ahead of this week’s visit to Oxford Children’s Hospital.

When the match resumed a penalty for Green allowed Chelmsford to pounce and Daniel Hammond sent them 4-1 ahead.

Late in the period it was Stars’ turn to make the most of a powerplay.

Bartlett and Alexander Staples were sent to the sin bin in quick succession to set up a spell of five-versus-three.

Cesky and Ben Paynter combined to set up Dominic Hopkins, who reduced the arrears with 31 seconds of the period remaining.

Hopes of a sensational comeback were further raised at the start of the third period.

Prince and new recruit Jesse Lye combined to assist Josh Oliver, who made it 4-3.

Those hopes lasted for almost five minutes, when Lukas Zatopek netted from the halfway line to give Chelmsford a two-goal cushion.

Stars pushed hard in the remaining 13 minutes, even withdrawing Annetts to give them an additional outfield player late on.

But Chieftains successfully emerged unscathed to march on, while Stars stayed in fourth place after another narrow defeat.