Coach Ken Forshee was given his marching orders as Oxford City Stars suffered their fourth English National League South Division 1 loss in a row with a 7-2 home defeat by Chelmsford Chieftains.

Tempers flared in the second period with Stars trailing 4-1.

Oxford’s Alan Green clashed with Aaron Connelly.

The duo exchanged blows and were both then given penalties.

But the incident infuriated Forshee. The normally calm coach remonstrated from the bench and was given a ten-minute misconduct penalty.

He continued his protests and was given a second misconduct penalty and ejected from the game.

The reverse was all a little predictable.

Oxford were not short on effort, but their opponents were always in control and clinical in front of goal.

The score would have been worse, but for netminder Jamie Thompson, who made several fine saves to keep Chelmsford at bay.

Thompson, however, was powerless to stop Kyle Jones putting the visitors ahead.

Tom Long doubled the lead, but Dax Hedges gave Stars hope with a fine strike.

Darren Brown and Matt Turner then stretched Chelmsford’s lead in the second period before the game boiled over.

Mike Whillock scored the second Oxford goal, mom-entarily silencing the travelling support to make it 4-2.

But any hopes of a comeback were swiftly quashed when Blaho Novak, Jones and James Ayling completed the scoring.

Forshee’s side must turn around their slump if they are to stay in the play-off places.

Things don’t get any easier for Stars – their next game is against Invicta Dynamos.