Holmes fades in 1500m

Kelly Holmes: Has battled back from injury problems

Nouriah Benida-Merah struck gold in an action-packed women's 1500m final as Kelly Holmes and Hayley Tullett both failed in their quest to add to Britain's medal tally.

Romania's Violeta Szekely finished second to secure silver, with Gaby Szabo recovering from a near costly clash with Tullett to earn bronze.

Holmes crossed the finish line in a disappointing seventh place in a time of four minutes eight seconds, with Tullett - who very bravely continued after being tripped from behind - finishing eleventh in four minutes 22 seconds.

Swansea Harrier Tullett avoided finishing last as she overtook Suzy Favor-Hamilton, one of the pre-race favourites, right on the line.

The American had also hit the floor in the home straight and as she walked the final few metres, allowing Tullett to skip past.

Dirty

After the race Holmes slammed some of the dirty tactics of some of her 1500m rivals and expressed her sympathy for the unlucky Tullett.

"It was a more tactical race than I thought it would be.

"I got boxed, there was a lot of argy-bargy out there and it was a shame that Hayley was brought down.

"I was tired and when the bumping starts you find it more difficult to find space for yourself than when you are fresh.

"They were some of the dirtiest 1500m runners I've run against out there, but I don't care. I have come here got into two finals and gone away with the bronze medal."

Women's 1500m Final:

1. Nouria Benida Merah (ALG) 4:05.10
2. Violeta Szekely (ROM) 4:05.15
3. Gabriela Szabo (ROM) 4:05.27
4. Kutre Dulecha (ETH) 4:05.33
5. Lidia Chojecka (POL) 4:06.42
6. Anna Jakubczak (POL) 4:06.49
7. Kelly Holmes (GBR) 4:08.02
8. Marla Runyan (USA) 4:08.30
9. Sabine Fischer (SUI) 4:08.84
10. Carla Sacramento (POR) 4:11.15
11. Hayley Tullett (GBR) 4:22.29
12. Suzy Favor Hamilton (USA) 4:23.05