OXFORD City Stars were knocked off the top of English National League South by Streatham after crashing to a 10-4 defeat at Cardiff Devils.

Stars opened the scoring with a flowing move which left the Cardiff defence all at sea, and Derek Flint knocked home the puck from close range.

Cardiff equalised through Nicky Lewis following poor defensive play by Stars.

Scott Gough restored Oxford's lead, but it wasn't long before Cardiff equalised through Alex Madge.

Cardiff then pulled ahead when Neil Browning flicked the puck towards goal, and it bounced in past an unsighted Andy Webster.

Devils extended their lead through Alex Symonds to go into the first break with a 4-2 advantage.

Oxford started the second period poorly with Cardiff's Steve Deacon scoring in the first minute.

Devils then had Chris Deacon ejected for checking from behind.

It wasn't the only occasion Cardiff used dubious tactics, and several Stars players were injured, including Grant Bailey, who was sidelined with a damaged shoulder.

A powerplay goal from Elliott saw Oxford reduce the deficit, but Cardiff scored immediately afterwards, this time through Rob McClellan.

Oxford changed netminders with youngster Tom Devey coming on, and it looked like they might be starting a fightback when Dan Prachar netted.

But Cardiff restored their three-goal cushion when Madge scored to make it 7-4 at the end of the period.

When Cardiff's Wes Spencer scored early in the third period, the fight went out of Oxford and the Devils added further goals through Steve Fisher and Owain Davies.

The defeat means Oxford drop to second, with Streatham taking over at the top following their 4-4 draw against Haringey.