OXFORD City Stars’ fast start saw them edge past Bristol Pitbulls 4-3 on an evening where the county’s sporting scene came together.

The game at Oxpens was the club’s ‘Oxfordshire United’ fixture, with Oxford United and Oxford City season-ticket holders given discounted entry.

Meanwhile, U’s legend Les Robinson – who made 459 appearances between 1990 and 2000 – was the special guest for the NIHL Division 1 South clash.

Stars were in action for the first time since their 3-2 win over Raiders Junior on November 21, while Pitbulls had beaten MK Thunder 8-4 just 24 hours earlier.

But it was the hosts who began brightest, as they produced one of their best opening frames of the season.

Joe Edwards gave Stars the perfect start, scoring after just 94 seconds.

He almost had another moments later, but only after Matt Croyle had saved from Olly Shone.

An impressive first ten minutes was capped by Theo Bundock’s finish to make it 2-0, the home-grown star firing home after the puck went loose.

Croyle thwarted Shone again as Pitbulls grew into the game, but Stars reached the end of the opening period with a healthy lead.

They picked up where they left off when play restarted, with Will Birch and Logan Prince going close in quick succession.

Bundock was then denied a second goal, before the game opened up and Croyle produced an excellent save to thwart a Pitbulls player one-on-one.

Stars did not have long to wait for another chance, Bundock making it 4-0 after Jakub Klima had scored Stars’ third.

Josh Florey threatened as a relentless display continued, although a disallowed Pitbulls effort at the end of the period was a sign of things to come.

Mason Lipsey pulled one back with just over 12 minutes left, before Tamas Elias further reduced the deficit.

Stars called a time-out, but their opponents smelt blood and Shone finally got his goal with just over three minutes remaining.

Pitbulls swarmed forward in the hope of completing an incredible comeback, with goalkeeper John Dibble pulled to bring on an extra attacker.

It was a nervy finale, but Stars held on to claim an important two points.

Birrell’s side are eighth after just their fourth win of the season and return to action on December 18, when they host Invicta Dynamos.