Oxford City Stars suffered a shock 7-5 defeat against bottom club Lee Valley Lions in the English National League South Division at Oxford Ice Rink.

Stars went into the game with a squad of 20 players, while the visitors, who were still looking for their first win, having lost five and drawn one of their previous games, had just 13 men.

Oxford started well with Andy Cox scoring in the first minute, assisted by Dean Francis (pictured) and Easy Chalmers.

But Stars lost their concentration, and Paul O'Neill equalised in the fifth minute with assists from Andy Watt and Mark Saunders.

With Oxford struggling to get their passing together, Lee Valley took the lead in the 12th minute.

Stars had numerous chances, but Valley's netminder Stefan Nubert kept his side on top at the end of the first period.

Oxford again gave the ball away as they went 3-1 down in the second period, Scott Beeson netting in the 22nd minute.

But Stars rallied with Paul Donohoe assisting Patrick Knightley with a great forward attacking play to pull one back.

Five minutes later. Stars were level as Dave Carr broke away to set up Alan Green for the equaliser.

But the Lions roared back, restoring their two-goal cushion with a short-handed goal by Romanas Fedotovas and then a powerplay effort from James Hatfull.

Oxford reduced the deficit to one goal at the end of the second period, with Francis curving a shot home following assists by Carr and Andy Cox.

Things did not get any better for Stars in the third period with Grant Hutcheon netting for Lions in the 50th minute after assists by James Scott-Joseph and Andy Watt.

Stars made it 6-5 five minutes later with a great goal scored by Marlon Williams, his first of the season, assisted by Carr and Knight- ley.

Two minutes from time, Lee Valley's Mark Saunders received two minutes in the sin-bin for roughing, leaving Stars with a man advantage.

Lions coach called a 30-second time out, giving his opposite number Darryl Morvan the chance to salvage a point.

He signalled netminder James Skaife to skate off the ice, so Oxford could put six players on against Lions' four.

But the move failed as Stars failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority, and with ten seconds left, O'Neill slotted into an open goal to seal Oxford's fate.

A disappointed Morvan said: "The team was very flat. I don't think we fulfilled our potential and we made mistakes."