Absentees cost Gateshead dear.

GATESHEAD Harriers travelled to Coventry for their second UK Women's League Division Four fixture with only eight athletes and paid the penalty.

Only the Channel Islands managed to accumulate less points than the Tynesiders, though with a home fixture to follow they may yet enjoy a relegation-saving date.

Vicky Carmichael was Gateshead's only winner on the day, leading the way home in the 400 metres in 57.6 seconds, her best time for two years. Backing up Carmichael was Jenny Hudson, who took maximum points in the 400m B race.

While Leah Wetheritt kept the score ticking over by finishing second in the hammer, and fourth in both the shot and javelin, again a lack of middle distance athletes - they had no 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m runners or steeplechasers - cost Gateshead dearly.

MATCH SCORE: 1 Coventry 233pts; 2 Herts Phoenix 216; 3 Herne Hill 215.5; 4 Reading 200; 5 Leeds City 186; 6 Herts Phoenix 15; 2 Coventry 13; 3 Rading 11; 4 Leeds City 11; 5 Herne Hill 8; 6 Gateshead 5.5; 7 Channel Isles 4.4; 8 Aldershot 4. JOE BLACKETT won the 53rd running of the Chevy Chase.

The Dark Peak FR completed the 20 miles in warm conditions in 2hr 59min 54sec.

South Shields won the team race, led home by Keith Makay in fifth place .

Northumberland Fell Runner's Karen Robertson finished in 18th place overall in 3: 41: 33 to lift the women's award.