Emil Riis scrambled the Lilywhites in front, but Mark Harris grabbed his fourth goal in four league games when he headed in as the clock hit 20 minutes.
Tyler Goodrham struck a sensational effort in from distance to put the U’s in front eight minutes into the second half, before North End were reduced to 10 men with 70 minutes on the clock when Liam Lindsay was shown his second yellow card of the game.
From the second phase of the free kick conceded by Lindsay, United grabbed their third goal of the afternoon, as Greg Leigh poked in from close range
We picked out some of the key talking points from the game.
READ ALSO: Our player ratings after Oxford United beat Preston North End
Josh McEachran impresses in holding role
The biggest talking point when the teams were announced was the introduction of McEachran for Will Vaulks in the deep midfield role.
Summer signing Vaulks started all three of the opening Sky Bet Championship games for the U’s, with McEachran starting the two Carabao Cup ties.
McEachran though was preferred to Vaulks against the Lilywhites, and produced a wonderful performance.
After United fell behind and then weathered an early storm, McEachran took control of the game, dictating the tempo from deep.
He produced a wonderful, floated delivery for Harris to head in the equaliser, while his set pieces were excellent.
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Four goals in four for Harris
Following on from his recall to the Wales squad earlier in the week, Harris’ dream start to the season got even better against North End.
The striker’s tally now stands at four goals in four league games, and his confidence is sky-high.
Harris continues to also add his harrying and pressing of opponents, and his link-up play, both of which are instrumental to the U’s style.
Goodrham adds another wonder strike to the collection
After excelling at the end of last season in midfield, Goodrham is back out wide at the moment this campaign, but his performance levels have remained the same.
His goal against the Lilywhites was sensational. We’ve seen him countless times now cut in from the left onto his right foot, but at the weekend, it was the opposite.
Out wide on the right, Goodrham chopped inside Kaine Kesler-Hayden with ease, before arcing a sumptuous effort inside the far post.
A seriously talented player who only seems to be getting better, Goodrham is a joy to watch.
Siriki Dembele’s silky debut
The signing of Dembele from Birmingham City promises entertainment and excitement.
He showed flashes of what he can do against North End, speeding up play with incisive runs, while dragging players with him.
Dembele looks to be another player with the potential to produce match-winning moments out of nowhere.