Oxford City Stars failed to make inroads on the English National League South Division 1 leaders after suffering a mixed weekend.

Having recorded a superb 5-3 victory at Cardiff Blues, Stars went down to a disappointing 7-4 home defeat against mid-table Romford Raid-ers 24 hours later.

It leaves them third in the table, but having played more games than their rivals.

Missing five regular players, Stars got off to a flying start in Cardiff, scoring inside a minute through Dale White.

David James equalised, but Richard Wojciak and Darren Elliott put Stars 3-1 ahead.

Josh Oliver scored No 4, only for Luke Piggott to give Cardiff hope by pulling a goal back.

Oliver found the net again in the final period to secure the points, and although Piggott hit his second with a minute to go, Stars comfortably held on.

However, they were not able to follow this up against Romford.

Despite taking the lead through Andy Cox, Stars fell behind to strikes from Juraj Huska and Jason Buckman.

Oliver levelled with the last touch of the period, only for Tyrone Miller to restore the visitors’ lead.

With Pierre Wilhelmsson serving a penalty in the final minute of the period, Oxford’s Dax Hedges took advantage to make it 3-3.

An end-to-end final period saw Romford’s Danny Marshall win his side the match, netting a quickfire hat-trick.

Huska added the other, and although Elliott scored for Stars, the damage had been done.

Oxford’s second string beat Romford 2nd 4-1 in South Division 2.