Darren Elliott snatched a last-gasp winner to give Oxford City Stars a 7-6 victory at Basingstoke Buffalo in a cracking English National League clash.

There were just 30 seconds left when Oxford broke out from a period of Basingstoke pressure, and Dan Prachar released Elliott to score.

Despite being without Matt Roberts, Marlon Williams, Ben Lay, Luke Plasted and Andy Cox, Stars took the game to the reigning English League champions.

Stars took the lead in the fifth minute when player-coach Prachar put a wristshot into the top corner of the net.

It followed good work from Gary Slevin and Danny Sturgeon.

Minutes later, Prachar did it again after fine approach work from Elliott and Alan Green.

Oxford scored again when Slevin was sent clear by Prachar to finish well as Stars led 3-0 at the break.

However, in the second period, Basingstoke hit back through Anthony Page's powerplay effort, only for Derek Flint to restore Stars' margin in the 25th minute.

Basingstoke hit three goals in four minutes to draw level. Simon Beere got the first, before a brace from Page saw him to his hat-trick.

In the third period, Slevin fired Oxford ahead, but Basingstoke came back when Drew Campbell scored their third powerplay goal of the night.

Buffalo took the lead for the first time through Leigh Baker, but Oxford equalised within 20 seconds when Prachar notched his third of the night.

And just 30 seconds from time, Elliott struck the winner for Stars.

Oxford scorers: D Prachar 3+2, G Slevin 2+2, D Elliott 1+1, D Flint 1+0, A Green 0+4, D Carr 0+1, D Sturgeon 0+1.