Goals from James Constable, Jamie Guy and a first senior goal from substitute Sam Deering earned Oxford all three points and a second away win of the season against Mansfield.
With the changes in players and the formation, United took time to settle into the match, but after nine minutes they got the perfect start when they took the lead.
Chris Carruthers found space on the left, and with no Mansfield player closing, curled in a perfect cross for Constable to head home unmarked from seven yards.
It was a great start for United and the early goal was just what was needed.United were in control at this stage of the match with the midfield three pulling the strings.Eddie Hutchinson had started well and it was his 17th minute through-ball that set-up Jamie Guy for a shot that flew just wide of the post as United looked to increase their advantage.
Hust as Oxford were looking comfortable, the home side equalized.Stag's midfielder Adnan Ahmed received the ball on the edge of the box in the 20th minute, cut in and went down under a Chris Willmott challenge.The referee blew for a free kick which Nathan Arnold duly smashed past the wall and Billy Turley.
United were not happy, as it appeared that Ahmed had gone down very easily under Willmott's challenge. It was a controversial moment and Oxford could feel justifiably hard done by with the decision.
The goal had lifted the home side and with most of their good play being played through veteran Jason Lee it was important that Oxford remained solid.
In truth, Oxford were struggling at that stage.The front two were unable to keep the ball and the early shape and balance of the side were missing.Mansfield had also negated the early attacking threat that had been posed by both Caruthers and Joe Burnell and without an obvious out-ball, United were being pushed deeper into their own half.But despite some near misses, United managed to hold on and went in at the break level.
Realising that changes were needed, caretaker boss Jim Smith made a change at the break with Deering replacing Chris Carruthers but before the change had time to take effect, Mansfield should have taken the lead in the 51st minute.
Emile Sinclair picked up the ball on the right and brushed off two challenges from Matt Day and Luke Foster. Sinclair then picked out Jonathan D'Laryea who saw his goal-bound effort blocked by Hutchinson.
To be fair to United, the change had sparked then into life, with Deering looking lively playing in the hole behind the front two. The young midfielder did well in the 54th minute when he saw a thirty yard effort well saved and United were at last looking as though they had the confidence and belief to take control of the match.
They didn't have to wait long as in the 58th minute their good play was rewarded with the second goal.
The ball broke to Constable who turned and played a wonderful ball through the home defence into the path of Guy.Guy showed good strength to hold off a defender and then showed great composure to finish under the body of keeper Gamble to score his second goal of the season.
It was well deserved and United were good value for their lead.The home fans were getting restless with their team and also the manager when he replaced the dangerous Ahmed in the 70th minute.
It got worse for them!!
One minute later United killed off the game with the all important third goal.Good pressure from Constable forced Gamble into a rushed clearance which landed at the feet of the impressive Deering.The young midfielder then showed real quality to hammer the ball over the head of the keeper from twenty yards to score a memorable first senior goal and secure all three points for United.
It was an important win for United after a difficult week and the second half performance showed that the new manager will have plenty to work with when he arrives.
Report: Julian Hitchman
