OXFORD City Stars could not keep pace with Invicta Dynamos after a breathless start in Kent.
The hosts set the tone for a frantic first period by opening the scoring after 44 seconds and six further goals went in before the buzzer.
Fortunately, Stars struck three of them as Theo Bundock helped himself to a double and James Eldridge notched to make it 4-3 at the break.
Matt Lawday hit the crossbar after the restart, but Invicta were next to strike as they increased their advantage heading into the last 20 minutes.
The hosts scored four more times in the final period, meaning Lawday’s late effort was only a consolation in a 9-4 defeat.
Stars remain eighth in NIHL Division 1 South, eight points ahead of basement boys MK Thunder.
They visit Bristol Pitbulls on Saturday and face Chelmsford Chieftains at Oxpens (6.15pm) 24 hours later.
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