Croydon Harriers head coach Mike Fleet believes the manner of last weekend’s crucial victory in the second round of the Southern Athletics League First Division demonstrated the club’s ethos.

After finishing bottom in their debut in the top flight last month, the Harriers bounced back at the Croydon Arena on Saturday to take top spot on 197 points, ahead of Blackheath & Bromley (180), Bedford & County (164) and Havering (135).

Fleet said: “The performance encapsulated the very nature of the Harriers.

“There were some great individual results, but it was a real team effort.

“The older athletes cheered on the younger ones, and vice versa, which is what we are all about.

“There were juniors filling in the gaps who performed great, and we’ve got some excellent athletes to still return from injury, so the signs are good.”