Veteran striker Mike Sheron rolled back the years with a stunning strike to push Macclesfield to fifth spot in the Coca Cola League Two.
It was his first goal since his close season move from Blackpool and it proved that quality counts. Teed up by strike partner Jonathan Parkin in the 49th minute the ball was still rising as it crashed into the roof of the net.
Moments earlier Macclesfield had been indebted to keeper Alan Fettis who twice denied Tommy Mooney. At first he flung himself full length to tip a long-range header wide before standing tall to block the striker's shot with his legs after the offside trap had been sprung.
Oxford also started the first half more positively, skipper Lee Bradbury heading agonisingly wide before stinging the hands of Fettis with a bullet 25-yard shot. Macclesfield then took control of the first half, Matthew Tipton poking just past the upright before Sheron and then Tommy Widdrington tested teenage keeper Simon Cox with long-range shots.
Oxford did get the ball in the back of the net on 38 minutes when Steve Basham converted a Bradbury chip but it was ruled offside. After Sheron's strike Macclesfield went close through a Simon Weaver header and a Matthew Tipton lob.
Oxford nearly equalised in the dying stages, a Tommy Mooney shot was blocked on the six-yard line before Jamie Hand arrowed a long-range drive inches wide.
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