OXFORD City Stars began pre-season with a 5-3 defeat at National Ice Hockey League 2 North side Solihull Barons.

Joe Oliver put the visitors in front after 12 minutes following good work from Jeff Sykora and Alan Green.

The lead did not last long, though, and the home side equalised against the run of play shortly before the end of the first period through Rob Eley’s fierce shot from the top right circle.

It was the cue for the Barons to take charge in the second period.

They went ahead when Stars netminder Ricky Young was unable to keep out a shot from Phil Lee.

Ten minutes later, it was 3-1 after Ryan Selwood found Andy Whitehouse in space, and he slotted home with ease.

But Stars battled their way back in the final frame when Andy Cox won the puck in defence and fired it down the wing to Alan Green, who set up Darren Elliott to finish with a simple tap-in.

Josh Oliver levelled the scores while the Barons had two men in the sin bin for a series of infringements.

He made the most of the extra space on the ice to fire into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Stars pushed for a winner, but instead Solihull restored their advantage when Rich Slater fired in from the right.

The hosts finished the job in the closing stages, Selwood hitting his second from the opposite flank.