Oxford City Stars have it all to do if they are to make the Division 1 South play-off final after a disappointing outcome from their two matches against Bracknell Hornets.

Stars beat Bracknell 5-4 on their home rink on Saturday, but, icing an understrength team in the second match, crashed to a 6-0 defeat.

It means Stars will realistically have to beat league champions Invicta Dynamos home and away to stand a chance of making the final.

At Oxpens, Oxford fell behind during a powerplay when Ben Duggan fired in off a defenders’ skate.

Stars hit back midway through the period when Alan Green beat David Wride in the Hornets’ goal.

The home side went in front when Andrew Shurmer returned from time in the sin bin to fire home.

In the second period, Ken Forshee slotted home on a powerplay to make it 3-1, but the lead lasted for less than a minute as Grant Rounding beat home keeper James Skaife.

Shannon Taylor made it 4-2, but again Bracknell pegged them back as James Galazzi slotted home.

And when Craig Tribe scored five minutes into the third period to equalise, nerves were on edge.

But Forshee found the net again for Stars to seal a narrow win.

In the dying moments, Green had to be stretchered from the ice after a heavy challenge from a Bracknell player, which was not penalised.

For the return leg in Bracknell, Stars were weakened by the absence of Green, and the home side romped home.

Alex Barker fired Bracknell ahead, before Alan Lack and Barker again made it 3-0.

Tribe added a fourth goal in the second period, and Galazzi brothers, James and Mark, each scored in the final period to complete the rout.

All is not lost for Stars, and with players set to return for the double header against Invicta Dynamos, they may still post a surprise or two.

Oxford host Invicta at Oxpens Road on Sunday (6.15pm) and travel to Kent on April 11 (5.15pm).