SIMON Anderson hailed a fantastic effort from Oxford City Stars as their slide was halted with a thrilling victory over in-form Slough Jets.

The depleted squad had lost their last three matches, but roared into a 4-0 lead at Oxpens.

Jets hit back to level at 4-4 late in a tense game, but the hosts hit back quickly to claim a hard-fought victory.

Anderson, Stars’ head coach, said: “I’m really delighted to get back to winning ways.

“We’ve had a real tough start to the season having to play most of who I think will be the top teams in this league, with a short bench.

“The result was nothing more than we deserved, and the boys have been just fantastic.

“I felt it had been coming for weeks and it finally happened.”

Anderson drafted in retired Darren Elliott to help ease the injury and suspension crisis.

Cheered on by a noisy home crowd, Stars started strongly.

Goals from Mike Whillock, Ryan Widmar and Matt Lawday saw them claim the first period 3-0.

The second saw both sides score one each, Elliott on target for the hosts, before Slough scored three goals in the final period and levelled the game with just over four minutes left.

However, Josh Oliver fired in an unassisted goal under a minute later to secure the points for Oxford.

Anderson added: “We took control in the first period and this is something we must strive for.

“We had a large spell where we allowed Slough back into the game and it could have been worse, but I thought Ross Miller was outstanding in goal again.

“With five on five I thought we dominated huge amounts of the game, but when the game was stopped by so many penalties, we lost our rhythm.

“I’m hoping this will be the start of us going on a run of positive results.

“The boys are working hard, and we are going to get better every week.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our guys who have been out, whether it’s from suspension or injury very soon and that’s going to be great news for everyone.”

Oxford visit Bracknell Hornets on Saturday and host London Raiders 2nd at Oxpens on Sunday (6.15).