Oxford City Stars squeezed to a 5-4 win at home to Peterborough Islanders in Division 1 South of the English National League despite dominating the match.

Stars had 62 shots on goal compared with Peterborough’s 23, but only won after a tense finish.

Oxford’s preparations for the game were disrupted by the transfer of right winger Juraj Rusic to Swindon EPL on a short-term deal.

Against the run of play, Peterborough stunned the home crowd when they opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Conner Hunter.

Oxford produced some attractive play and equalised less than a minute later with a strike from Grant Bailey.

Dean Francis grabbed the first of a brace for Oxford just before the end of the first period and made it 3-1 in the 25th minute.

Peterborough disrupted Oxford and scored two goals inside three minutes from James Pentecost and Leon Groom.

The final period was tense and the pressure was only partially lifted once Oxford had scored twice more through Nick Oliver and Darren Elliott.

Peterborough kept going and were rewarded with a fourth goal in the 58th minute from Dale Jowett.

Oxford’s nerves were not helped when Andy Cox was penalised in the dying seconds.