Scottish athlete Beth Potter has suffered 3000m heartache at the European Junior Championships, finishing fifth despite leading for the majority of the race.

The 17-year-old took an early lead at the Novi Sad track and was looking set for a spot on the podium before Azerbajan athlete Gezashign Safarova fell in her path with one kilometre left.

Safarova's tumble all but ended Potter's challenge and despite battling bravely she could only manage a time of of 9:18.81minutes - three seconds off her best.

And the Victoria Park athlete was in under no illusions over who was to blame after having a European Junior medal snatched away.

"I'm gutted really because I had taken the race on and I was feeling good," said Potter.

"Then when the girl from Azerbajan cut across me with a kilometre to go it really affected me.

"She fell over and although I didn't fall I stumbled a little bit and it really put me off.

"If she hadn't done that we would probably have both got a medal so that was really disappointing."