OXFORD Chargers suffered just their first home defeat in almost two years, in what was a blow in their attempt to defend the National League title.

It was Scunthorpe Stags who were 54-36 victors at Sandy Lane, with Chargers seeing both Jody Scott (wrist) and Ashton Vale (ankle and knee) crash out of the meeting in the opening five races.

Stags took the lead with a 4-2 in Heat 2, before Jason Garrad and Vale levelled the score with a 4-2 in Heat 3.

Chargers’ problems began in Heat 4, as Scott fell on the final lap and was subsequently ruled out. His fall allowed Stags to take a 5-1.

READ ALSO: Hoops make it 23 goals from first three pre-season games

The opening bends of Heat 5 saw Garrad fall with Vale right behind him, as both Oxford riders went down. Garrad was excluded from the re-run, while Vale was unable to continue, but Jacob Clouting brilliantly charged from third to first.

The score remained tight until Williams Cairns and Mickie Simpson took a 5-1 in Heat 8. Stags then secured victory with three heats to go, as Stene Pijper and Simpson passed Garrad in Heat 12, with the Chargers rider struggling with a wrist injury which had been aggravated in his earlier crash.

Chargers team manager Peter Schroeck said: “You couldn’t have written the script for that one. It was just one of those afternoons for us. We’ve got a few wounded soldiers, but hopefully there’s nothing broken.

“I want to win, the boys want to win. But more importantly, this league is about rider development.”