Oxford City Stars have now gone 12 games in English National League South Division 1 without a win following a 10-3 home hammering by title-chasing Chelmsford Chieftains.

Stars got off to a fantastic start when South African Cameron Birrell put them ahead after being set up by a 20-yard pass from Gareth Endicott.

Oxford were then caught on the break after a defensive error.

Chris Douglas saved Alan Green’s first shot, but he was unable to control the rebound and Green tapped it in.

Chieftans were in the ascendancy, and struck twice more in 26 seconds.

Czech import Jakub Klima scored a stunning goal, and after Richard Wojciak received a penalty for interference, Chelmsford won the face-off and Tom Long netted from close range.

Chieftains kept up the pressure and scored twice more, with Long getting his second and James Ayling on target.

Gary Clarke made it 6-1 before the end of the period, and carried on where he had left off in the second by doubling his tally, finishing off a superb move by lifting the puck over Douglas.

Ross Brears hit goal No 8 for Chieftains, who then started to be incur the referee’s wrath.

Stars quickly ended up with a two-man advantage, which they made count when Josh Oliver fired home.

With another two-man advantage, which they carried over into the third period, Stars reduced the deficit further through Paul Gore after Chieftans had returned to four players.

It was then Oxford’s turn to be penalised, and Chelmsford made the most of their two-man advantage when Klima grabbed his second, before completing his hat-trick late on.

Stars have now drifted to within three points of the sole relegation spot after Streatham Redskins hammered Milton Keynes Thunder 10-3.

Oxford City Stars 2nd drew 6-6 at Chelmsford Warriors in English National League South Division 2.

Stars’ scorers were Sam Broughton (2), Joe Oliver, Jack Maisey, Dave Tyler and Nick Oliver.