OXFORD City Stars’ bid to secure an English National League South Division 1 play-off berth will go to the wire.

A 7-2 defeat at Romford – a game that saw Oxford lead 2-0 – means that this Sunday’s home clash with Bracknell Hornets will decide Stars’ fate.

Victory will ensure Ken Forshee’s side will finish in the top eight, while a draw should also be enough.

But defeat would leave Stars sweating on the outcome of Cardiff Devils v Milton Keynes Thunder.

Stars stunned the home crowd against Romford, taking the lead after just 33 seconds through player-coach Forshee.

Gareth Endicott then doubled the lead when he fired home.

Josh Oliver was inches away from making it 3-0, only for the puck to rattle against the bar and bounce to safety.

But that was as good as it got for Stars.

Juraj Huska made it 2-1 early in the second period, before Frankie Harvey scored the first of his three goals.

Harvey, AJ Smith, Huska and Anthony Leone quickly made it 6-2, with Harvey completing his hat-trick with just two minutes left on the clock to leave Stars’ play-off hopes on the brink.