Bateman received a late 10-minute penalty after putting the Giants ahead

Belfast Giants' struggles on the road continued as they were beaten 4-1 by Cardiff Devils in Sunday's Elite League clash in Wales.

Pat Bateman put the Giants ahead but Matt Towe levelled on the powerplay and Gerad Adams put Cardiff ahead by the end of the first period.

Middle-period goals by Wes Jarvis and Mark Richardson put Cardiff in control and the Giants couldn't respond.

Belfast had defeated Sheffield 3-2 at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night.

But home form has not been the Giants' problem this season.

Once again, the failed to replicate their Odyssey displays in Sunday's Cardiff clash.

The match started off in combative fashion with Giants enforcer Sean McMorrow and Brad Voth both being handed five-minute penalties following a clash.

Bateman put the Giants ahead on four minutes but Towe levelled three minutes later before Adams put the Devils ahead in the 11th minute.

Shane Johnson was serving a 10-minute penalty in the second period when Cardiff helped themselves to two powerplay goals with Jarvis (23) and Richardson (26) on target.

Bateman was handed another 10-minute penalty late in the game.

Sunday's defeat drops the Giants four points behind leaders Coventry who head Nottingham on goal difference.

Coventry also had four games in hand on Nottingham and have played two matches less than Belfast.

Cardiff are now six points behind the Giants in fourth place.

On Saturday, Belfast scored first with an unassisted goal by Craig Peacock in the 14th minute but the Steelers got a quick equaliser through Jeff Legue.

Powerplay scores from Bateman and Jeff Szwez saw the Giants open a two-goal gap with Joe Talbot replying before the end of the second period.

The Giants preserved their slender lead in a goal-less final period.

Belfast will be back in action on Saturday against Edinburgh at the Odyssey Arena (1900 GMT).

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