The Channel Islands' men's athletics team are on the brink of relegation from National League Division Three after a terrible meeting at Bedford.

A series of injuries coupled with late withdrawals meant the side finished last and are bottom of the table.

Sprinter Steve Prosser pulled his hamstring in the very first event and could not compete in other races, so the islands failed to score.

"Things can't get any worse than they were today," coach Andrew Winnie said.

...the next match is crucial. It's all or nothing CI coach Andrew Winnie

It means the side must do well in their final match of the season on Saturday 16 August or else they will be relegated.

"The guys know the next match is crucial. It's all or nothing," Winnie said.

But they will be boosted by the news that Guernsey's top middle-distance runner Lee Merrien will be available.

Merrien took the season off from competing for the Channel Islands to concentrate on trying to qualify for the Olympics. But having failed to make the GB grade, the Guernsey Commonwealth Games runner will return and should win the 1,500m and 5,000m.

The women's team are faring better. They also came last in their match on Sunday, but have done enough to ensure they will stay in division four.

They are fourth in the table, and did well considering the usual 12-woman team had been depleted to seven athletes.