Burnley moved back into the Championship automatic promotion places as they beat Oxford at Turf Moor to extend their unbeaten league run to 18 matches.

The Clarets' positive start was rewarded just after the half-hour when defender Michal Helik diverted Josh Cullen's cross into his own net.

Greg Leigh spurned Oxford's best chance to level before the break, while U's goalkeeper Jamie Cummings produced three saves to deny the hosts a late second.

Scott Parker's side move above Sheffield United into second place, on goal difference, and within two points of table-topping Leeds United, having played a game more than both.

It was also a first defeat as Oxford boss for Gary Rowett, who had arrived at Turf Moor boasting an unbeaten nine-match run, as the U's remain 16th.

The result extended Clarets' phenomenal defensive record with a ninth successive clean sheet and 22nd of the season from 31 Championship matches as the visitors were unable to register an attempt on target.

But having been held to goalless draws in five of their previous seven league matches, Burnley's proficiency at the other end of the pitch was under a little scrutiny, with forward Marcus Edwards, signed on deadline day, brought straight into the squad.

The goal-shy hosts created a string of chances for an early pressure-relieving opener, with Zian Flemming scooping over from eight yards and Lyle Foster dragging a shot past the far post after Flemming's backheel had given him a clear sight of goal.

Moments later, Cummings made amends for a botched clearance with a smart one-handed save to turn Flemming's shot around the post, and Helik then blocked Foster's goal-bound effort.

Oxford had largely been pegged back up to Burnley's first home goal since 21 December, but almost replied immediately when Helik cushioned a header back into the middle where the unmarked Greg Leigh headed past the left-hand post.

Holding the half-time lead, Burnley's approach became more conservative after the break, as the U's showed more of the attacking intent without testing Burnley's underworked keeper James Trafford.

Yet the hosts did almost add a second with a late salvo.

Twice in a matter of minutes Cummings had to save from Foster, who caused problems down the left flank all evening, before the U's keeper palmed away Jeremy Sarmiento's stinging 25-yard drive.

Burnley head coach Scott Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"The first 45 minutes I thought we were nothing short of superb. We really dominated the game and we were everything we weren't at the weekend throughout.

"We created a lot of chances and showed real quality.

"It's fair to say that going in at half-time 1-0 up was a little unjust because it could have been more. We missed some big chances.

"Overall I was delighted with the team, our general endeavour and the way we went about it tonight."

Oxford United boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford:

"We carried a threat, and I think we got into some good positions without perhaps creating as much as we'd like.

"Sometimes when you're playing a good side who can stretch you in the way that they do it makes it very difficult to do anything other than to try and be compact, and that takes away from your ability to attack for long periods.

"When you look at the trajectory of our team and where the team's come from out of League One to, I think, more than competing in this division, and actually looking like the next step for us is to see if we can compete a little bit better in these types of games.

"I think that is a real positive and there were a lot of positives to come out of the game."