TEENAGERS James Roberts and Josh Ashby were on target to get Oxford United off to a winning start in pre-season.
After a sleepy first half at Farnborough, the game burst into life in the final 20 minutes after Roberts opened the scoring.
Ashby curled in a free-kick to double the advantage, but the lead was immediately cut when Lucas Enrique spectacularly scored from long range at the kick-off.
With the exception of Ashby, who played the full 90 minutes, the visitors fielded different sides in each half.
Several first-team players, including new signing Danny Hylton, David Hunt and Josh Ruffels sat out the trip with minor niggles.
Triallist Gozie Ugwu, released from Reading at the end of last season, led the line, but clear chances were at a premium before the break.
United's best moment came just after the half hour mark, when a neat move saw Tyrone Marsh whip in a low cross.
Ugwu just failed to make contact and was in just the wrong place to block Danny Rose's volley when Freddie Grant turned the ball back into the area.
United's second half team had more joy going forward and Ashby had already hit the post with a free-kick when they broke the deadlock 19 minutes from time.
Miles Welch-Hayes got in down the right and crossed for the striker, who punched the air after finding the back of the net with a firm, first-time finish.
Ashby made it 2-0 with a set piece, but United were stung within seconds as Brazilian Enrique beat triallist goalkeeper Liam Roberts from within his own half.
- Watch highlights of United's win at Farnborough - including the stunning goal by the hosts. Courtesy of Farnborough's YouTube channel.
United had chances to make the game safe late on, but were happy to claim a slender victory on an afternoon when they did not pick up any new injuries.
Oxford Utd 1st half: Crocombe, Bevans, Raynes, Wright, Grant, Hawtin, Ashby, Rose, Ugwu, Shama, Marsh.
Oxford Utd 2nd half: L Roberts, Welch-Hayes, Mullins, Long, Newey, Hayden, Ashby, Potter, Kitson, Humphreys, J Roberts.
Farnborough: Granger, Rodgers, Treacher, Fearn, Siaw, Ferrell, Shaw, Ball, Benjamin, Taylor, Webb.
Subs: Page, Enrique, Ferniola, Debayo, O'Hara, Walden, Brown, Williams, Nelson, Lucas.
Attendance: 278.
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