A FLYING start proved a false dawn for Oxford City Stars, as they went down 4-2 at Solent Devils.

Lee Richardson put the visitors ahead after just 64 seconds, but they did not score again until Josh Florey’s late consolation.

The defeat saw Stars slip to fourth in English National League South Division 2 ahead of Sunday’s trip to Basingstoke Buffalo.

Kenny Redmond, Stars’ head coach, said: “Solent is a tough place to go and you have to put in three strong periods to earn a result and we didn’t quite manage that.

“There is a long way to go this season and we have an opportunity to get straight back on track this weekend at Basingstoke.”

Both sides went into the clash needing a victory to keep pace with leaders Chelmsford Chieftains.

Richardson landed the first blow for the visitors, assisted by Alex Staples.

But Devils hit back and led at the end of the first period thanks to a double from Daniel Lackey.

They also scored two unanswered goals in the second period, Richard Facey and Alex Murray putting the hosts 4-1 ahead.

A powerplay goal seven minutes from time set up by Michal Oravec for Josh Florey, gave Stars a glimmer of hope.

But they could not salvage a positive result late on, as they suffered a second defeat of the campaign.