Oxford City Stars were saved by the crossbar as they beat Chelmsford Chieftains 3-2 in their English National League Division 1 South clash.

Going into the match a place behind the Essex outfit, Stars stunned the home crowd when Alan Green made the most of a powerplay to give the visitors an early lead.

However, with two rather than three officials in charge of the game, many incidents went un-noticed, with Oxford feeling they got the rough end of the decisions.

Chelmsford drew level just before the end of the opening period, Darren Brown back-handing the puck over the shoulder of Oxford’s man-of-the-match, netminder James Skaife.

Oxford continued to press, and in the 19th minute, with Chieftains content to reach the break on level terms, Dean Francis took advantage of a defensive error to slot home.

Stars extended their lead in the second period when Darren Elliott travelled round the front of the goal and shot into the net, right in front of the jubilant Oxford supporters.

The hosts came back strongly in the final period and set up a tremendous finish when a shot saw the puck loop over the unlucky Skaife and Arron Connelly was on hand to knock it over the line.

Chelmsford, sensing they could snatch an equaliser, pushed forward at every opportunity and thought they had levelled when a shot smashed against Skaife’s crossbar and bounced down onto the line.

Home fans celebrated a goal, but the officials, after much consultation, eventually decided that the puck had not crossed the line and Oxford held on to claim victory.

Stars face leaders Invicta Dynamos at home this Saturday.