Oxford City Stars reached the English National League Division 1 South end-of-season play-offs, despite an 11-4 defeat ag-ainst champions-elect Inv-icta Dynamos.

But they will have to step-up their game if they are to reach the final in Coventry.

Missing key defencemen Andy Cox and Lee Featherstone, but boosted by the return of Andrew Shurmer from injury, Oxford found themselves on the back foot with netminder James Scaife making several saves.

And it was no surprise when a double-strike from Dyn-amos impressive import, Milan Kostolny, gave the hosts a 2-0 lead.

Stars responded with skipper Darren Elliott shooting wide after a neat pass from Will Skaife.

Oxford’s Richard Wojciak then saw his point drive gloved down by Invicta keeper White, while Richie Hargreaves fired straight at the netminder.

Stars fell foul of penalties yet again with Hargreaves sin-binned for two minutes for slashing.

Elliot had a chance on the short-handed, but fired straight at netminder Joe White.

AJ Smith slotted in from point-blank range and Kostolny completed his hat-trick to leave Stars reeling at 4-0 down.

Stars clawed one back when Alan Armour's shorthanded clearance up ice caused the Dynamos keeper to hesitate, allowing Elliot to round him and slot into an empty net.

The visitors reduced the deficit again when Wojciak scored after Joe Edwards had hit the blue line at speed, flown behind the cage, avoided a huge check from an Invicta player and crossed.

But more indiscipline from Stars saw Wojciak penalised for hooking, charging and roughing, gifting Dynamos a four-minute powerplay.

The hosts took full advantage, increasing their lead to 6-2 through Adam Copland and Elliot Andrews.

Shurmer was sent to the sin-bin for two minutes for hooking and again Dynamos’ powerplay was deadly accurate, with Lewis Burke making it 7-2 The final period was only minutes old when Tim Smith and Grant Baxter increased Dynamos advantage.

At the other end, Bailey shot into Smith’s chest before Dean Francis and Hargreaves went close.

Kostolny wrapped up his four-timer, before Nick Eden on the blueline, fired an unstoppable shot past the keeper.

Laurence Billing made it 11-3 to Invicta, before Bailey slammed in Oxford’s fourth from the hash marks with a great shot.

Oxford scorers: N Eden 1+0, A Armour 0+2, R Wojciak 1+0, M Hargreaves 0+1, M Krater 0+1, J Edwards 0+1, D Elliot 1+0, G Bailey 1+0.