STOCKPORT County produced a smash-and-grab act at the Kassam Stadium as United's good run came to an end.
Chris Wilder's team, hoping for a third straight win, dominated much of the match, but were sunk by a breakaway goal from George Donnelly just before half-time.
The on-loan Plymouth striker headed home Adam Griffin's left-wing cross on 41 minutes for his fifth goal of the season.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Oxford, and especially their centre forward James Constable, who hit the post from just two yards and also had a goal ruled out for offside.
Using the full width of the big Kassam Stadium pitch whenever they could, United began playing some really good football from the off.
Asa Hall, who had revealed earlier in the week how desperate he was for a goal, was twice unlucky not to break his duck in the opening 20 minutes.
From Constable’s header back, the midfielder struck a fine volley that keeper Matt Glennon did well to parry to his left.
Hall then hit a low snapshot from nearly 25 yards that whistled past Glennon’s right post with the keeper rooted to his spot.
Josh Payne was spreading play well, and Matt Green was on fire down the right, constantly outpacing Stockport’s left back Adam Griffin, who had had a loan spell with Oxford.
County seemed to be struggling to keep the home side at bay, though they showed that up front they were dangerous.
Paul Turnbull hit a drive well over after picking up a loose pass 25 yards out and Donnelly’s angled drive from the left deflected into the side-netting.
The best opportunity of the first half an hour, though, came when Green charged through on goal on 15 minutes.
Green took the ball round keeper Glennon but Stockport’s two centre backs, Danny Swailes and Manny Assoumani, got back to make a great challenge, and Constable could only prod the loose ball wide.
It came very much against the run of play when Donnelly headed Stockport in front four minutes before half-time, though it was a fine goal.
After a pacy break Griffin crossed superbly from the left and Donnelly, escaping any marking, rose to head powerfully past Ryan Clarke from six yards.
The goal left the home fans stunned, and as the U’s tried to get back on level terms before the break, Tom Craddock saw a left-footed drive saved.
In the second half, Oxford laid seige to Stockport's goal at times, and Constable headed Ben Purkiss's cross against the foot of the post when it seemed easier to score.
Hall dribbled through and had his shot saved, Constable heading the follow-up effort wide, and Heslop sliced his shot after a series of one-twos.
When Alfie Potter cut in and had his shot parried by the over-worked Glennon, Constable turned in the rebound, but the linesman had his flag up.
Oxford Utd: Clarke, Purkiss, Worley, Creighton (Baker 86), Tonkin, Heslop, Payne (Deering 75), Hall, Green (Potter 52), Constable, Craddock. Subs not used: Bulman, Midson, Eastwood, Franks.
Referee: Carl Boyeson (E Yorkshire).
Att: 7,033 (340 from Stockport).
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