The 41 year-old held off a spirited attempt by Barber to win by one second in 15.32.

The pair went into the race with contrasting backgrounds this year. Lee, who competes for Oadby and Wigston Legionnaires (OWLS), already has a host of road race wins under his belt in 2008 whereas Barber has hardly competed at all.

Barber suffers from asthma and hayfever and admits he has never known a year like it.

He said: “It’s really affected me this year. I planned to do the second race of the series two weeks ago but there was no way I could have raced that night.

“My breathing was really bad and all I could do was go out for a very slow 30 minute jog.

“I’ve picked up a bit in the last week but I just can’t plan my racing long-term. I’ve only managed to race twice this summer.”

But despite his lack of racing, Barber gave a spirited chase and was closing on Lee only for the former Nuneaton runner to respond.

Lee, who has a personal best of 14.42, said: “I haven’t raced for a few weeks so I was looking for a good race and this wasn’t too far to travel to from Market Harborough.

“I got a gap but then Andy tried to close the gap on me, so I responded to make sure he didn’t catch me.”

Notts Athletic Club runner Ashley Sabin, winner of the opening race of the series, was contesting the lead during the second half when he had to take evasive action to avoid a young cyclist who was ‘all over the road’.

The incident left Sabin, runner-up in last year’s series, sitting by the side of the road as the leading pack continued to battle it out.

Nene Valley teenager Chris Wright had another excellent run in third while in-form veteran Sean Beard was going well until suffering a stitch in the closing stages.

Nene Valley teenagers Alex Gibb and Jakob Walker were also in the top eight with Yaxley youngster Adam Peacock not far behind.

Philippa Taylor of Stamford Striders make a winning debut at the distance in 18.10.

She followed Kettering’s Hayley Munns until a mile from home and then kicked clear.

She said: “I’d hoped to run 18.30 so am very pleased to have gone 20 seconds quicker.

“The reason for that is that around 4k someone shouted ‘Come on girls,’ which shocked me as it made me think there was another woman just behind me.

“I didn’t want to look behind so I just picked the pace up.”

Nicholas Stone of Peterborough Athletic Club won the junior 3k race but there was a superb display from the first girl, Charlotte Taylor.

The Nene Valley Harrier was just six seconds behind as she held of Callum Reid for second place.

The fourth race of the series takes place at Stamford on July 16 with the finale at Werrington on July 30.