The five-match unbeaten run of Elite League table toppers Eastbourne Eagles came to an end at Oxford on Friday night.

The Sussex outfit were toppled 51-39, their biggest defeat of the season, by the defending champions at the Cowley Stadium.

Eastbourne suffered a crucial blow when Mark Loram was forced to pull out of the meeting after two rides with food poisoning.

That not only left the visitors without their top rider, but it meant they had to go into heat 13 with only one rider.

Eagles must now hope Loram recovers in time for tonight's Knockout Cup semi-final against Wolverhampton at Arlington.

Skipper Joe Screen battled manfully, receiving good support from Dean Barker and David Norris, but it was too much for them to overcome.

Stefan Andersson, who had missed five of the previous six matches through injury, managed only one point, while Toni Svab, out for the last three, also struggled on his return.

Eagles went behind early on, but a 4-2 from Norris and Loram in heat five levelled the scores, and they led after the next when Barker and Savalas Clouting posted another 4-2 heat advantage.

The lead was shortlived, Oxford squaring matters in heat seven and then going ahead 25-23 after eight races.

Screen and Barker managed another 4-2 in heat 12, but two 5-1's for the home team either side of that virtually settled the issue.

Oxford led 43-35 with two races to go, and although Screen won heat 14 the Cheetahs wrapped it up.

Eagles were then on the wrong end of another 5-1 in the last race via Leigh Adams and Steve Johnston.

Oxford: Leigh Adams 13, Steve Johnston 11, Sam Ermolenko 10, Mark Lemon 6, Lukas Dryml 4, Andrew Appleton 4, Ales Dryml 3.

Eastbourne: Joe Screen 12, Dean Barker 9, David Norris 8, Toni Svab 5, Mark Loram 3, Stefan Andersson 1, Savalas Clouting 1.