Oxford City Stars skipper Darren Elliott was taken to hospital with concussion and Dean Francis left dazed as they crashed to a 7-2 defeat against a physical Peterborough side in Saturday's English National League South Division A clash.

With Stars trailing 2-1 in the first period, Elliott was knocked unconscious after hitting his head on the ice following a late challenge from Peterborough's Ross Mackintosh, which went unpunished After receiving treatment on the ice he was put on a stretcher before being taken to hospital. He was allowed to go home around midnight after having an X-ray.

Stars, who were missing Alan Green, Nick Oliver, Dave Carr, Aidy Haigh, and with Will Skaife carrying an injury, went behind in the first minute when Jamie Holland fired past Oxford netminder James Skaife.

But Oxford were right back in it when Lee Stobie beat James Moore with a lazer slapshot after a great pass from Joe Oliver.

However, Oxford weren't level for long, Kristain Simo skating up the ice after a swift counter-attack to restore the hosts' lead.

After Elliott was taken to hospital, some more big hits from Peterborough left Francis (pictured) dazed and Andy Cox needing treatment for a hand injury, before the duo returned to the action.

That seemed to disrupt Stars who went 4-1 down in the space of five minutes, after strikes from Dale Jowett and Tom Perkins.

But despite the odds, Oxford forced their way back into the contest when Jacob Smith netted after a great burst forward from Kent Johnson.

But Peterborough took control through a Clint Herring brace and a Mackintosh strike.