Oxford City Stars bounced back from a 6-4 defeat at Cardiff Devils in English National League Division 1 South to beat their Welsh rivals 5-4 at home in their latest double-header.

Stars were without Andy Cox and Dax Hedges for the game in Cardiff, and it was home side who took the lead through Corey Watkins.

Oxford equalised through a rocket from Darren Elliott, but they fell behind again to a Tim Burrows goal.

Dean Francis stole the puck off ex-Star Alan Armour, and beat Ross Piggott to equalise.

Cardiff regained the lead in the second period through Luke Piggott only for Francis to level again.

A melee broke out at the end of the period, with Oxford’s Mike Lucas and Cardiff's Phil Manny ejected from the game.

Joe Boot fired Oxford 4-3 ahead in the third period, but Cardiff roared back to take victory with an Adam Wood brace sandwiched round Burrows’ second strike.

Cox and Hedges were still missing for the return clash along with Mike Lucas.

Armour fired Cardiff ahead, but Oxford were level when Shannon Taylor redirected a Richard Wojciak slapshot past the Welsh netminder.

Luke Piggott restored Devils’ lead only for Nick Oliver to grab the equaliser after good work by Joe Edwards.

Andrew Shurmer fired Stars in front in the second period, but the Devils hit back to lead 4-3 through goals from Gareth Dixon and Ricky Deacon.

However, Stars came out fired up for the third period, and Alan Green slotted home a powerplay goal, before captain Elliott ghosted in to slam home the winner.