An under-strength Oxford City Stars ran out of steam against Wightlink Raiders in their South Division 1 game, going down 6-1.

Despite being bolstered by the signing of Michel Tomasik, who played less than 24 hours after landing in the UK, Darren Elliott, James Pentecost, Joe Edwards and James Clarke all missed the game through injury.

And their absences proved crucial as Stars remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Wightlink, the only team Stars had beaten this season, were on the back foot early on, Joe Oliver going close.

However, the hosts soon found their stride.

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After having a goal disallowed after hacking at a puck that James Skaife had already frozen, the Raiders went ahead when player-coach Jeremy Cornish converted a Corey Watkins pass.

Stars took advantage of a powerplay to equalise when Joe Oliver shot through a crowd od players and found the net.

Dax Hedges had a great opportunity to make it 2-1 for Stars, but netminder Christian Cole was equal to his shot and the period ended 1-1.

A flurry of penalties dominated the restart, Wightlink’s Ben Paynter being penalised for elbowing, but 20 seconds later Josh Florey took a hooking penalty to even the numbers up.

Joe Oliver was then punished to leave Wightlink a four-on-three advantage, but the Stars defence stood firm.

However, when Josh Oliver was handed a ten-minute misconduct penalty, the hosts took advantage when Damon Larter shot through the five-hole of Skaife to score.

Despite trailing by only one goal heading into the final period, tiredness started to show in the Stars’ team.

Watkins made it 3-1 with a fine individual effort and with 12 minutes to go Wightlink wrapped up the points when Jaroslav Cesky slotted home.

Alex Barker and Larter’s second of the game compounded Oxford’s misery.

Stars will look to haul themselves up the table with a double header this weekend, a trip to Chelmsford on Saturday followed by a home match with Milton Keynes Thunder 24 hours later.

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