THREE stunning strikes saw Oxford United brush aside Fleetwood Town in Sky Bet League One.

Stanley Mills and Billy Bodin netted to give the visitors a two-goal lead at half-time, before Kyle Edwards scored arguably pick of the bunch on the hour mark to record a comfortable 3-0 win.

Liam Manning made eight changes to the side which last stepped out for the U’s on September 5, in the 3-1 victory at Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy.

Only Jordan Thorniley, Kyle Edwards and Mills were retained in the starting line-up, while for the hosts, former Bristol City and Sunderland manager Lee Johnson took charge for the first time following the sacking of ex-Celtic midfielder Scott Brown.

Jack Marriott, linked with United during the summer, had the first sight of goal with four minutes played when he hit one across the turf and comfortably wide from 20 yards.

Scott Robertson then saw a 25-yard strike deflect out for a corner before 10 minutes had been played.

The U’s took the lead just after the quarter of an hour mark when Mills bagged himself a screamer.

The Everton loanee collected the ball from Sam Long on the right-hand side, before cutting in and sending a dipping, left-footed strike into the top corner.

United had their tails up, with Ciaron Brown backheeling an effort towards goal within a crowded penalty area and Bodin flashing a loose ball just wide from the left channel of the box.

Cameron Brannagan then lined up a shot from distance, but the ball flew into the midriff of Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch.

Just before the half hour mark, the U’s doubled their lead when Bodin produced a clever, instinctive finish inside the area, to send the ball into the bottom corner.

At the other end, a deflected shot from Robertson dropped narrowly over the crossbar, which was then hit by Jayden Stockley with a header.

Fleetwood had a couple of late corners through deflected strikes from Marriott and Robertson, however the Cod Army failed to make the set pieces pay.

The second half began with a slower pace, however Edwards injected a spark into the game when he put United 3-0 up with a corker.

The winger on loan from Ipswich Town took possession on the left wing and fired a right-footed shot from outside the area above Lynch and narrowly underneath the crossbar.

Brannagan then hit the outside of the post with a rasping effort from the right channel of the penalty area.

Tyler Goodrham, on the pitch moments earlier as a substitute for Edwards, looked for the near post from 10 yards out with an arrowed shot, however Lynch was equal to the effort.

Manning made a double change as the match edged towards the final quarter of an hour, as Fin Stevens and Oisin Smyth replaced goalscorers Mills and Bodin respectively.

In stoppage time, former Oxford City striker Kabongo Tshimanga got in down the right channel and smashed the outside of the near post, however the afternoon very much belonged to the U’s.

Fleetwood Town (4-4-2): Lynch; Johnston, Nsiala (Lawal 78), Holgate, Armstrong (Graydon 46); Broom, Robertson (Simons 46), Vela (Quitirna 78), Mayor; Stockley (Tshimanga 46), Marriott.

Unused subs: McMullan, Patterson.

Booked: Robertson, Vela.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Long, Moore, Thorniley, Brown; McGuane, Brannagan; Mills (Stevens 74), Rodrigues, Edwards (Goodrham 64); Bodin (Smyth 74).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Perkins, Murphy, Negru.

Booked: None.

Referee: Will Finnie (Bedfordshire).

Attendance: 3,744 (TBC away).