JAMES Henry scored twice as Oxford United won an eventful pre-season friendly at home to Leeds United.

The midfielder struck at either end of the first half, sandwiching a goal from Rob Hall to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.

It was a well deserved advantage from a 45-minute period where the U’s had overpowered an understrength Leeds side.

But the youthful visitors showed spirit after the break after Tyler Roberts had got them on the board with a wonderful effort.

Although Jon Obika made it 4-1 with his eighth goal in six warm-up games, Lewis Baker and Jack Clarke netted to keep the contest alive.

But United held on in the closing stages to claim victory in front of a healthy 4,727-strong crowd.

John Mousinho, Cameron Norman and Hall came into the starting line-up for the hosts, who welcomed new signing Marcus Browne on to the pitch before kick-off.

Unlike Crystal Palace on Saturday, the visitors did not bring anything like their strongest line-up, with former U’s star Kemar Roofe among those left in Yorkshire.

Leeds’s youngsters rapidly looked out of their depth – and their commitment to play out from the back was an invitation for United to pile the pressure on.

Within three minutes it should have yielded the opening goal, but after kicking straight at Henry, goalkeeper Will Huffer made amends with a smart save.

But Leeds did not heed the warning signs and they fell behind in the seventh minute.

A mistake at the back just outside their box allowed Hall to pounce. The winger, making his first start of pre-season, beat Oriol Rey with a classy touch and squared for Henry to sweep an inch-perfect shot into the far corner from 20 yards.

Jamie Shackleton blazed a shot over, but otherwise the Leeds fans had little to shout about.

The exception came midway through the half when the game halted for a water break, prompting a chant of “there’s only one Paul Madeley”. United fans applauded in respect for the Leeds legend, who died on Monday.

When play restarted, United quickly doubled their lead.

Jon Obika charged down the left and the ball went through Samir Carruthers and Henry to set up Hall, who blasted in from close range on 26 minutes.

The winger should have doubled his tally for the evening, but he fired one curled shot over before narrowly missing the far post with another chance.

United’s dominance did yield a third goal just before the break.

Obika’s fierce shot from an acute angle was too hot to handle for Huffer and Henry was on hand to tap into a gaping net.

While Roofe was missing, another old boy reduced the arrears eight minutes into the second half.

A corner found its way out to Roberts on the edge of the box and the former U’s loanee curled a beauty in off the far post.

Back came United, who restored their three-goal cushion just after the hour mark.

A quick free-kick led to Norman crossing low and when Mousinho turned the ball across goal, Obika tapped in from a yard to continue his hot streak.

But Leeds responded quickly through Baker’s close range finish and it was 4-3 when Clarke’s deflected strike beat an unsighted Simon Eastwood.

There was still 19 minutes remaining, but a flurry of United substitutions – including Jamie Mackie for his debut – disrupted the flow.

Chances dried up, which suited the home side, who got a grip on the game to see out the victory.

United complete their pre-season schedule at Milton Keynes Dons on Friday night.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Norman, Dickie (Raglan 82), Mousinho, Garbutt, Brannagan (Nelson 75), Ruffels (Carroll 82), Hall (Napa HT), Henry (Mackie 69), Carruthers (Baptiste 74), Obika (Lopes 83).

Unused subs: Shearer, Long.

Leeds Utd: Huffer (Blackman HT), Vieira, Rey, Diaz, Shackleton, Klich, Baker, Ideguchi (Roberts HT), Pearce, Clarke, Dalby (Edmondson HT).

Unused subs: Stevens.

Referee: Anthony Coggins (Oxfordshire).

Attendance: 4,727 (1,336 visitors).