Oxford Hawks' faltering start to their Men's Slazenger England League South Division campaign continued with another disappointing setback as they suffered a 3-2 home defeat by Bristol side Firebrands on Sunday.

Hawks started confidently and went one up after 20 minutes when James Neilson touched home a short corner.

Hawks were playing some good hockey and edging a tight game until Huw Jones, who had been very influential, suffered a facial injury and had to retire from the game.

Firebrands then started to make inroads into Hawks' territory and won a penalty stroke on half-time which was comfortably converted to bring the sides level.

In the second period Hawks were unable to replicate the control they had shown in the first half and suffered from poor basic skills.

Firebrands picked up two goals from short corners before Nick Lamb slotted a second for Hawks, but it was too little, too late.

The defeat leaves Oxford Hawks one off the bottom of the National League South Division and facing a massive game next week at Plymouth - another side in the lower reaches of the table.