Adam Quinn expects Crawley’s next two games to provide a real test of their title credentials.

Reds went top of the Blue Square premier for the first time in their history when Quinn’s first goal for the club helped them to a 2-1 win over Mansfield on Saturday.

It was their fifth successive league win and the big defender believes if they can extend that sequence to seven after testing upcoming trips to Oxford and Weymouth then their rivals might start to regard Reds as genuine title contenders.

Quinn, one of four ex-Halifax players in Steve Evans’ new-look side, said: “It’s nice to be top for a week and see the buzz around the place after we beat Mansfield.

“But we’ve got two really hard away games coming up which will be a real test for us.

“The lads are really confident at the moment though and we all want to work really hard to try to keep the unbeaten run going.”

Ironically, Quinn might have been playing for last Saturday’s opponents instead of scoring against them.

He was left in limbo when Halifax went into administration in the summer and trained with the Stags before Steve Evans persuaded him to head south.

Quinn said: “It wasn’t a hard decision in the end. Mansfield asked me to go there so they could have a look at me but when the gaffer came in I wanted to come and play regular football.”

The 26-year-old is one of four former Halifax players in the side along with central defensive partner Jake Wright and front pair Lewis Killeen and Danny Forrest.

Evans believes it is possible to pass your way out of the Blue Square premier as Aldershot did last season and Killeen and Forrest are key components in the attacking 4-3-3 formation he has deployed this season. But the basis of every successful side is a strong defence and Quinn and Wright have resumed a partnership forged at The Shay last season to good effect.

Quinn uses his 6ft 4in to win most of the headers but Wright is always close by to mop up any danger and both men are a big threat from set-pieces.

Quinn’s looping header broke the deadlock against Mansfield after he found a yard of space in a crowded box and before half-time his flick on had set up a chance for Jamie Cook and he had seen another header cleared off the line.

He also has a long throw, although his team-mates are not too convinced about its effectiveness.

“The lads call it the shortest long throw in history,” he laughed.

“To be fair a couple have barely reached the box but I go forward for every corner and free-kick and hopefully I can get one or two more goals.”

Quinn is also aware he cannot let his consistent level of performance so far slip with so much competition in the squad for places at the back.

Club captain Chris Giles was injured in the opening game against York but has had to settle for a brief appearance as a late substitute since returning to the squad four games ago while Jamie Stevens, who was with the England C team for their international in Sarajevo this week, has been on the bench for the last six matches.

Quinn added: “We’ve shown this season we have lots of lads capable of scoring goals but there are a few who can keep them out as well.

“As long as we stay fit and keep our form then there is no reason why we can't stay up near the top of the league.

“The place is buzzing at the moment. We all love the training and can’t wait for Saturdays at the moment. And when we win a game the first thought is always about winning the next one.”