Oxford City Stars returned to the bottom of the table after two successive defeats on the road.

This included a 7-6 loss at fellow strugglers Cardiff Devils, who Stars replace at the foot of English National League South Division 1.

Both sides started tentatively before David Sadler opened the scoring for Cardiff and then Josh Haslam doubled the lead.

Tom Avery pulled a goal back for Stars, but Jamie Hayes, Kieran Latchford and Jonathan Nash found the net to give Cardiff a 5-1 lead.

Stars clawed their way back into the clash with three goals in two minutes, from Joe Edwards, in powerplay, plus Jacob Smith and Adam Harris – his first of the season – to make it 5-4.

However, Stars were hit by two goals from Nash in 28 seconds at the start of the third period. Stars cut the deficit to 7-6 with 14 minutes to go, following goals from Edwards and Adam Harris.

However, Cardiff were able to hold on for the victory.

The previous day, Stars had travelled to the Isle of Wight, losing 10-5 to the Wightlink Raiders.

Stars went behind after just 37 seconds, when Alex Barker scored, but they equalised only 30 seconds later through James Pentecost, who then put the visitors in front.

Corey Watkins levelled for the hosts, who re-took the lead through Jaroslav Cesky.

Barker scored again, but Wightlink got into penalty trouble and, with two of the home side’s players in the box, Stars levelled at 4-4 with strikes from Avery and Evan Mackintosh.

This woke Wightlink up, who restored the lead through Damon Larter, and scored four goals in five minutes, through Ryan Webb, Craig Tribe, Christopher Cooke and Cesky.

Steven Balmer made it 10-4 to the hosts, before Joe Oliver grabbed a late consolation for sorry Stars.

Meanwhile, Oxford City Stars' player coach Darren Elliott has been suspended for five matches, following ugly scenes at the end of the home match against London Raiders earlier this month.

He was banned for three games by the English Ice Hockey Association last week after getting a match penalty for clipping during Oxford’s 8-6 win over the Raiders and suspended for a further two games due to an an accumulation of penalty points.