In the eighth minute, the midfielder received a pass from the equally impressive Asa Hall (who pinged cross field passes around as the match wore on, such was his growing confidence) and Heslop just let rip from 35 yards into the top right hand corner to leave Shrews keeper Ben Smith without a prayer.
Afterwards, Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner even admitted "it was a great strike", although he was less impressed with his team's defending for Oxford's second goal in the 52nd minute describing it as a "disaster" and saying "it slaughtered us".
The goal that finished Shrewsbury off was converted by loanee Lewis Guy who blasted home from ten yards after good and unselfish work by co-striker James Constable.
It seemed fitting that Guy should get on the scoresheet last night as he epitomises the three Oxford displays I have seen this season in that he has grown with each game. I have to admit that I wasn't sold on the fella after his sub's appearance in the League Cup against Cardiff or in the draw with Bradford, but last night - like every other U's player - he showed a lot of class, commitment and desire.
Guy floated around up front seeking out the ball and trying to make things happen in support of Constable and Dean Smalley and all three gave the Shrewsbury defence a torrid time.
The Oxford defence was extremely solid and you can see a good understanding developing between Michael Duberry and Jake Wright in the centre. No doubt they - like every other player in the country - will have their off days this season, but if Chris Wilder can keep them fit, opposition strikers won't fancy coming up against them.
Marvin Morgan, the Shrewsbury front man, started brightly last night, but couldn't find a way through. The only time he got the better of Wright was when the Oxford man had to leave the pitch for two stitches and Morgan must have been cursing under his breath as Jake ran back on to the field a couple of minutes later.
To be fair to Morgan, he did make a point of apologising and Wright told me afterwards: "There was nothing nasty in it, it was just one of those things. I know him and he's not that type of player."
Duberry was just solid throughout, snuffing out threats before Shrewsbury even got a look in on goal.
Keeper Ryan Clarke had a fairly untroubled evening and when Morgan did get a shot away he got his body behind it before Wright tidied up.
Andy Whing, 26, is another player who looks to be settling in. The former Coventry and Brighton full back has a wealth of experience and, like Duberry, seemed to give his colleagues confidence with his assured display.
Special mention should go to the final two Oxford players.
Midfielder Paul McLaren, 34, unexpectedly made his first appearance of the campaign and looked very comfortable on the ball. The Shrewsbury midfield seemed to stand off him after he bamboozled them on a couple of occasions with his quick feet and equally quick brain. His presence gave Heslop and Hall licence to get forward and cause problems.
But on an evening when every Oxford played their part, I'd have to give my man of the match to full back Liam Davis.
In the three games I've seen, Davis has been the most consistent performer and last night he summed up the squad attitude ... after he'd been skinned by Shrewsbury winger Lionel Ainsworth early on.
Ainsworth is no slouch at this level and was arguably the away side's biggest threat. Rather than sit back, worry and, in turn, invite more trouble, Davis 'manned-up' and took the fight back to him by skinning him in return a few minutes later AND stinging Smith's hands with a fierce shot. It was a case of "back at ya" or "anything you can do I can do better"!
From that moment on, Ainsworth knew he had to keep a close eye on the Oxford man and also knew he wouldn't have things all his own way. To be fair to Ainsworth, he did continue to press forward when he could, but Davis is a quick learner, it appears, and won their personal duel handsomely.
My clipping from this morning's paper
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