Leyton Orient are still searching for their first home win since last February as a heroic display by Oxford keeper Chris Tardif ensured the game ended 0-0 at Brisbane Road.
Orient enjoyed the lion-share of the game and their two best chances to win it fell to former Oxford man Andy Scott, but his close range header thumped against the bar in the first-half and then he was denied by the excellent Tardif six minutes from time.
In a neat and tidy opening half Scott's effort against the woodwork was one of the few clear chances.
Oxford defended well but lacked any real penetration and, as Orient turned the screw just before half-time, Wayne Carlisle and Matthew Lockwood both went close to breaking the deadlock.
If the first half had been even then Orient took total control after the break as they won a total of ten corners but failed to make the all important break through.
Lee Steele, another former Oxford old boy, should have put Orient ahead three minutes after the break. Scott charged down a clearance form Tardif and the ball rolled to Steele with the goal gaping but he delayed his shot for too long.
Jabo Ibehre was then denied by the ever alert Tardif, who tipped his effort away, but the keeper kept his two best two saves until the final 20 minutes to earn his side a battling point.
Firstly he reacted superbly to tip Michael Simpson's close range header over the bar, but his best save of the game arrived on 84 minutes when he brilliantly clawed Scott's header away with his left hand.
Steele also fired over but it was the visitors who almost stole the points in a smash and grab raid when substitute Steve Basham, on for Chris Hackett, wriggled clear of the Orient rearguard but rolled his effort just the wrong side of the post.