KINGSTON AC & Polytechnic Harriers left it late, but nonetheless made history with a first British Athletics League Division Two match win to keep promotion hopes alive on Saturday.

The club’s relay squads were the heroes as the men’s 4x100m claimed second place – a Division Two best effort – and the 4x400m finish fourth to clinch victory by three points ahead of second-placed Crawley.

An injury to a Swansea athlete in the final leg of the 4x100m opened the door to second for Kingston (43.02secs) and it proved crucial in the final reckoning.

An A string 3,000m steeplechase win from Danny Eckersley in nine minutes 29.5 seconds – the club’s only A string win of the day – set Kingston on their way to a points haul of 347.

Second-place finishes from Chris Dack (shot), Matthew Houlden (long jump), Humphrey Waddington (triple jump), Scott Evans (800m) and Mutara Sheriff (100m and 200m) were the other highlights.

Surrey Comet:

Hot shot: Kingston AC & Polytechnic Harriers' experienced throws specialist Chris Dack

The result means Kingston are one point behind leaders Cardiff and level on points with second-placed Swansea going into the final fixture of the season at Nottingham on August 6.

“Before the relays we were level with Crawley on just over 300 points,” said team boss Chris Hall.

“With nobody having paid attention to where Crawley finished in each relay, we faced a nervous wait to see if we had won.

“A win – which nobody could have imagined at the start of the season – was just reward for a magnificent performance full of spirit.

“Ultimately we have to finish above Swansea and above seventh in the final match to achieve the unthinkable.

“We will need as strong a team as possible to push ourselves over the line.”

Kingston’s juniors made it a great weekend for the club as they won a third successive Lily B League title on Sunday.

Lucy Tunnacliffe claimed a personal best of 11.5secs in the U15 girls 75m Hurdles and Amelia Bell also set a new best of 26.5secs in the U15 girls 200m.

Kingston can complete the double when the Lily B Cup takes place on August 27.