Oxford United made it four unbeaten under Gary Rowett with a 1-1 draw away to Preston North End.
As he did in the previous away game at Millwall, Rúben Rodrigues gave Oxford the lead, this time midway through the first half. They held on until Will Keane's headed finish 20 minutes from time that ensured the points were shared.
Gary Rowett made two changes to the side that won at Millwall on Wednesday, one enforced, with captain Elliott Moore taken off at half time at the Den after feeling his groin. He was replaced by Peter Kioso at right back, with Sam Long moving into the centre of defence. The other change saw Matt Phillips starting on the wing instead of Przemysław Płacheta.
The game was five minutes old when Sam Greenwood found himself with the freedom of the Oxford half, but Jamie Cumming was able to get down to his shot to palm the ball away with a strong right hand.
Just four minutes later, United were forced into a change as Mark Harris hobbled off to be replaced by Dane Scarlett.
Cumming was called into action again in the 17th minute to deny Kaine Kesler-Hayden's curling effort, with Rodrigues clearing the resulting corner off the line. A minute later United had a let off when Emil Riis shot over from six yards.
United took the lead in the 21st minute following a short goal-kick routine, when Rodrigues intercepted a Freddie Woodman pass on the edge of the area and had the relatively simple task of shooting past the stranded keeper.
The goal signalled a spell of good possession from the U's, who kept Preston pegged back for long periods. The home side did get forward with ten minutes to go in the first half, but Keane was unable to keep his shot down when well placed, and Oxford were fairly comfortable for the rest of the half.
As in the first half, United were forced into a change ten minutes into the second period, with Kioso forced off to be replaced by Jordan Thorniley, making his first league appearance of the season.
United continued to look for a second goal and had a good chance 20 minutes into the second half as substitute Hidde ter Avest was released and his cross was met first time by Rodrigues, but he could only find Woodman's arms.
The equaliser, in the 70th minute, was a simple finish for Keane, who was free on the goal line at the back post to head home a dinked left-wing cross.
United came close to retaking the lead with four minutes remaining when Siriki Dembélé burst clear and was brought down six yards outside the area. Will Vaulks' free kick looked to be on target but was deflected wide for a corner.
There was a frantic, end-to-end six minutes of stoppage time but in the end both sides took away a point, lifting Oxford to 17th place and continuing their good form under Rowett.
UNITED: Cumming, Long, Brown, Vaulks, Brannagan, Harris (Scarlett 10), Phillips (ter Avest 58), Goodrham (Dembélé 77), Rodrigues (Sibley 77), Leigh, Kioso (Thorniley 58)
Unused subs: Ingram, McEachran, Płacheta, Dale
Attendance: 14,749 including 1,272 Oxford fans
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: JasonPix, Steve Edmunds
