Photo / Northern Stars Facebook

The Northern Stars have coughed up an early lead to lose 46-36 to the league-leading Central Pulse in their ANZ Premiership clash at the Auckland Netball Centre on Saturday night.

After making a strong start the Stars struggled to go with the form team of the abbreviated competition and ended up going down by double digits in the first of back-to-back matches this weekend.

Shooter Maia Wilson nailed 29 of 35 shots for 82.9% on the night while Jamie Hume managed just seven of 13 attempts (53.8%) however.

The Stars remain fourth on the ladder with three wins and a draw from their nine matches.

They back up Sunday against the third-placed Mainland Tactix.