Oxford City Stars slipped to fourth in the English National League South Division 1 table after going down to a 4-2 defeat at Streatham Redskins.
It proved a mixed weekend for Stars, who beat local rivals Swindon Wildcats 3-2 the previous day.
In Sunday’s game, Stars, who were without Nick Eden, went a goal down to a Liam Rasmussen strike in the opening period.
However, 60 seconds later, Stars levelled when Andy Cox knocked the puck past the Streatham man-of-the-match Shane Kemp.
But the visitors were rocked when Slovakian Tomas Valko restored the hosts’ advantage with a power-play strike.
And it got worse for Stars as two quick goals on the break from Joe Johsnton and Jack Tarczycki, who last season iced for champions Kent Invicta, saw Redskins storm into a 4-1 lead.
But Oxford kept going forward and were rewarded for their enterprise when their man-of-the-match Wayne Fiddes fastened onto Alan Green’s pass before firing home.
The visitors then piled more pressure on the Streatham goal and had a couple of great chances to score, but were unable to convert as they slipped to defeat.
Before Saturday’s game, Stars were given a boost with the return of Fiddes.
However, in the early stages, Stars struggled to find any rhythm.
And they paid the price when Swindon captain Brian Clark fired past Robin Lindva in the Stars goal, while the home side’s Andy Cox was in the sin-bin.
Stars thought they had equalised when Nick Oliver found the net, only for it to be disallowed by the referee.
But they didn’t have to wait long, with Green levelling early in the second period when he slid the puck under Jamie Thompson.
With ten minutes left, Green netted his second to give Stars the lead, only for Daniel Smith to bring the sides level five minutes later.
The clash looked destined for a draw, but with barely a minute left on the clock, Stars’ Dax Hedges smashed home the winner.
This Sunday, Stars travel to third-placed Chelmsford Chi-eftains (6.30).
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