Oxford City Stars were left fuming at the referee as they were held to a 6-6 draw against Peterborough.

Stars were leading 6-5 with only seconds left on the clock when Nick Oliver was penalised for tripping, even though it was clear to all that the Peterborough player held Oliver's stick and than sat on it.

Peterborough took full advantage, smashing home the equaliser as the hooter sounded.

Stars' Darren Elliott was on the receiving end of an early penalty, but it wasn't until Elliott had returned to the ice that the away side went in front when captain Matt Whitwell found the back of the net.

Oxford hit back almost immediately when Lukas Szabo intercepted a Peterborough move, combining well with Alan Green before punching the puck into the back of the net.

Green fired Stars 2-1 in front before the end of the first period.

Five minutes into the second period, Stars stretched the lead when Aidy Haigh fired home.

But Peterborough's Clint Herring reduced the arrears, before a powerplay goal from Tony Dawson brought the scores level.

Dean Francis chipped Stars back in front, but the second period ended with Oxford's James Skaife and Peterborough's Jesse Hammill in the sin-bin for tripping and elbowing respectively.

Stars came out fighting in the third period, and with five minutes left, found themselves 6-4 up, thanks to goals from Sam Broughton and Paddy Knightly.

But the referee penalised Andy Cox with a two-minute penalty for interference, and Peterborough took full advantage.

Whitwell scored his second goal to close the gap with three minutes to go.

And when the referee made his mistake, Stars were forced to settle for a draw.