Linda Spencer produced her best run for five years to win the second race of the Sussex Cross Country League at Stanmer Park on Saturday.

Spencer's form has slumped since fracturing her leg after winning the county under-17 title in 1999 but proved she is getting back to her best by overtaking Rachel Ogden on the final lap to win in 21min.45sec.

It was only her third race since returning from a year travelling in Australia and was a huge improvement on her sixth place in the opening league fixture six weeks ago.

Spencer, of Chichester Runners, said: "I had only just got back from Australia before the first race and struggled a bit but now I am feeling good.

"I kept up the running while I was in Australia so I was in quite good shape when I got back. My main target is to win the county championships so hopefully I can build on this for the rest of the season."

Crawley AC's Julie Briggs was five seconds behind Ogden in third, and the first veteran home, while Arena 80 took the team honours ahead of Brighton and Hove City AC.

Ben Warren used his in-depth knowledge of the course to storm away from Tom Naylor on the final lap to claim victory in the men's race.

Warren is studying at Sussex University, which overlooks Stanmer Park, and he uses it regularly for training runs after lectures.

The Hailsham Harrier timed his attack to perfection as he accelerated away from Naylor on the last big slope to win in 28min.17sec to follow his impressive 36th place at the European Cross Country trials last week.

Warren, who was second behind Kevin Holland in the first race of the league season, said: "I knew I had to try to lose Tom on the hill because after that the course is pretty flat and there is not much opportunity to get away.

"I was completely shattered after that effort but fortunately I managed to hold on."

Matt Bristow was third behind Naylor to help Brighton and Hove City AC win the team prize.

Hastings AC's Stephen Jules enjoyed a comfortable victory in the under-20 race as he finished 40 seconds clear of Tom Fuller in 29min.03sec, with Andrew Donno third.

Katie Moore, of Brighton and Hove City AC, won the under-20 women's race in 23min.16sec.