The Sky television cameras paid a rare visit to the Causeway Stadium and viewers were treated to a lively encounter that ended with honours even.
Wycombe took the game to the visitors right from the off with a succession of corners in the opening 15 minutes and it was no surprise when they created the first clear-cut chance of the game. Clint Easton flighted a lovely ball into the area but the usually reliable Ian Stonebridge failed to control it with his first touch.
With Wanderers failing to capitalise on their chances, Oxford began to weather the storm and took the lead midway through the half. The home side failed to clear a corner and Rob Wolleaston delivered a pinpoint ball to captain Leo Roget, who was left completely unmarked to head home.
Wycombe had only gone behind once in the league so far this season and on that occasion they went on to lose 3-0 to Rochdale. This time it was a different story as the home side responded by creating a plethora of chances. Top scorer Nathan Tyson nearly equalised after 25 minutes but his effort fizzed wide. His and Wycombe's fortunes changed right on the stroke of half-time though, when he converted a penalty after debutant Bas Savage had been felled in the box.
The second half began just as the first finished, when minutes after the restart Stonebridge's header was superbly saved by Oxford keeper Chris Tardif. This seemed to spur the visitors into life and they began to control the game. For all their attacking it wasn't until the 75th minute that they had their first clear-cut opportunity. A mix-up in the home defence left Matt Robinson with just Frank Talia to beat, but the former Reading man could only blaze wide.
With ten minutes left, the game took a turn for the worse for the home side when referee Keith Hill bizarrely dismissed Gary Silk. The terrier-like defender was first booked for a mis-timed challenge and from the resulting free-kick Mr Hill deemed his encroachment as a second bookable offence and produced a red card.
From that moment on it was end-to-end action but neither side was able to deliver the final punch for the winning scoreline.