English National League

Oxford City Stars remain in real danger of missing out on the South Division 1 South play-offs after a 3-1 home defeat to title-chasing Invicta Dynamos.

Stars have won just one of their last nine matches, while play-off rivals Milton Keynes and Bracknell are just one and two points behind respectively, with two games in hand.

Oxford sacrificed net-minder and man-of-the-match Jamie Thompson as they chased a late equaliser, only to see Invicta’s Andy Smith slot into the empty goal.

Gareth Endicott returned for Oxford, but they were missing youngster Mike Whillock.

Stars started well and broke the deadlock midway through the first period as Alan Green expertly deflected in a pass from Endicott.

But Invicta’s impressive Smith equalised less than a minute later.

Dynamos scored five goals in the second period en route to a 9-3 victory in their last match against Stars, but this time the middle third was scoreless.

The only action came off the puck when Invicta’s Jack Tarczycki was given a ten-minute misconduct penalty after skating the length of the ice to challenge Oxford defenceman Dale White.

Invicta defencemen Adam Copland vented his anger at the referee’s decision and also earned himself a ten-minute penalty.

On 46 minutes, Oxford duo Richard Wojciak and Ken Forshee were given minor penalties.

Invicta took advantage when Copland fired past Thompson.

With less than a minute left, Thompson was withdrawn for an out-skater, but Oxford lost possession and conceded a third.