Oxford’s sixth win away in Sky Bet League One came with a 3-2 victory at Leyton Orient, giving interim manager Craig Short a perfect start.
Ruben Rodrigues’ brace and Billy Bodin’s strike were decisive. The hosts responded with an own goal by Fin Stevens and Ruel Storiou.
Sol Brynn’s mistake led to the first goal for the visiting team, who had Liam Manning as their new manager at Bristol City in the last week. Rodrigues was the recipient of Sol Brynn’s clearance, which led to him driving it into an open net.
In the second minute, Brynn was left stranded as Bodin headed in from 15 yards away.
Rodrigues, who scored in the 47th-minute from close quarters after Orient had failed to clear a set corner within two minutes at the beginning of the second period, extended Oxford’s lead. The home team then began a revival a few minutes later.
Stevens turned a teasing Tom James’ cross into his own goal. In the 64th, Sotiriou then volleyed in a header from Aaron Drinan. Dan Happe, however, was denied an equaliser after his header hit a post.
The U’s resisted pressure to keep their quest for automatic promotion.