Lost data when using ESP32 AP => ESP32 STA and w5500 ethernet modules

[FX2032]

I am trying to set up a transparent ethernet bridge.
I found some code "eth2wlan" online, which is an adaptation of the example code eth2AP, which has the ability to switch to STA instead.

The code works fine in either STA or AP mode if I use just one esp32-s3 module with W5500 ethenet IC. I get a UPD data rate of about 11Mb/s and no lost "datagrams" (testing between 2 computers using iperf).

However if I connect 2 modules together, one as AP one as STA, then my data rate plumets to 1.3Mb/s and I loos 95% of the "datagrams".

Can anyone suggest how to fix this issue?