Oxford City Stars ended their Division 1 South season on a high with a 4-2 win over Milton Keynes Thunder.

The success means they go into their two-legged play-off with runners-up Bracknell Hornets in a fortnight full of confidence.

Although Stars were guaranteed third spot, and Thunder a relegation play-off, there was not a great deal between the sides, with Oxford choosing to give a number of fringe players an outing.

Regular netminder James Skaife was rested, giving Kev McGurk the chance to impress.

And it was only because of McGurk that Stars ended the first period on level terms at 0-0.

A lacklustre display saw Thunder dominate, but McGurk thwarted their bid to take an early lead.

The visitors’ pressure told off at the start of the second period, when Stars failed to clear their lines and Thunder took advantage.

This seemed to finally spark Stars into life, and they quickly drew level.

Alan Armour tied the game with a wicked snap shot after some nimble play by player-coach Richie Hargreaves.

Armour then doubled his tally to give Stars the lead, scoring from an almost impossible angle after Grant Bailey and Hargreaves again worked the puck through.

A lack of concentration cost Stars dear, however, as Thunder levelled with 39 seconds of the second period remaining to tie the scores at 2-2.

Hargreaves got caught up in an altercation with his opposite number as the teams left the ice, meaning he missed the start of the final period with a ten minute penalty.

But it didn’t matter, as Dean Francis put Stars ahead with ten minutes to go, netting from a rebound after a Mike Hargreaves effort.

Stars made it 4-2 with less than two minutes remaining when Bailey jabbed home after Armour had come close to his hat-trick.