AFTER an exciting double-header, Oxford City Stars finished the regular English National League season with a fourth-placed finish in South Division 1.

A narrow 4-3 defeat away to Solent Stars was followed by a dramatic 4-4 draw against London Raiders on Sunday, when more than 1,000 fans at Oxpens saw the visitors equalise just ten seconds from the end.

Stars’ fourth spot for the second year in a row means they will play Raiders twice at the start of the league play-offs on March 25 and 26.

Against Solent, Oxford conceded four powerplay goals as both Dax Hedges and Jaroslav Cesky were ejected from the game.

With Joe Edwards sitting out a minor penalty, Drew Campbell put Solent ahead.

But Alan Green, who has announced he is to retire at the end of the season, made it 1-1 at the end of the first period.

Ben Paynter and Matt Lawday put Solent 3-1 head with Oxford again short-handed as Hedges was in the sinbin.

Mark Pitts added Solent’s fourth with a mis-hit shot to leave Oxford in big trouble.

The visitors stormed back in the final period with goals from Brendan Baird and Matt Jordan following a great passing move.

But, to their frustration, they could not find the equaliser.

Against Raiders, Stars were without the suspended Cesky and Darren Elliott, and played Mark Duffy in goal, with Logan Prince also getting some rare ice time.

Jesse Lye put Stars ahead, from Ben Paynter’s pass inside 30 seconds, but the visitors levelled in the first period through Alan Lack.

In a second period, in which they had 18 shots to Raiders’ six, Stars appeared to take charge by going 4-1 ahead.

Their goals came from Josh Oliver, Green and Paynter, while some fine saves from Duffy kept London at bay.

The visitors woke up in the final period, but with 12 minutes left they still trailed by three goals.

But the home fans’ celebration were cut short as Jason Ikin and Baird were sent to the sinbin.

Raiders took advantage to cut the deficit to one with two goals from Tom Davis.

With 35 seconds to go, Raiders withdrew netminder Euan King for an extra skater. The move paid off as they tied the game ten seconds left, Lack scoring his second of the game.

However the draw was enough to keep Stars above London in the final table.

Now the teams will clash again in the play-offs.