OXFORD City Stars slipped to a 5-4 defeat at Cardiff Devils in a tough English National League Division 2 South encounter.

Devils took the lead with a breakaway goal after five minutes from Trent Hope.

Darren Elliott, Joe Edwards and Cox went close as Oxford hit back.

Michael Raff then forced a tripping penalty, and Nick Oliver equalised on the powerplay after ten minutes.

Raff hit a post after surging down the left, before Warren Jones fired Oxford ahead.

Cardiff levelled at the start of the second period, before an altercation gave Stars a powerplay, which saw Edwards score.

But Devils were level within a minute, and then took the lead with a breakaway goal, despite being a man down.

Cardiff struck again to make it 5-3 by the end of the second period. Both sides had chances in a frantic start to the third period, and Josh Oliver converted with a long-range strike to reduce the deficit.

Stars kept plugging away, but were unable to force an equaliser as Devils ran the clock down to secure a deserved victory.