SALTAIRE Striders Ladies have a fighting chance of staving off relegation from the Premier Division of the PECO CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE.

A gutsy performance at North Leeds' Golden Acre Park led to them overhauling Chapel Allerton and moving out of the drop zone with one race to go.

York Triathlon Club, after a highly promising promotion year in 2014-15, are already doomed.

Lesley Watson was the first Strider home in 18th (33min 30sec), with Jen Willingham close behind in 26th.

Tamsin Treasure-Jones (60th), Louise Nash (67th) and Tracy Foy (72nd) were their remaining counters.

Kirkstall Harriers and Harrogate Harriers both had five ladies in the first two dozen. Kirkstall are almost assured of winning the Premier title and Harrogate the First Division championship.

Two Leeds University students sandwiched Ackworth's Rebecca Winter in the top three, Bronwen Jenkinson prevailing in 30min 21sec on a twisty, wooded, two-lap five-miler.

Ilkley's Lucy Williamson was a good 14th, with Katherine Kirkham first Wharfedale Harrier home in 28th.

Rebecca Streets (44th) and Reena Mistry (52nd) were first for Airecentre Pacers and Eccleshill respectively.

Ilkley are assured of promotion from Division Two, but Eccleshill, Airecentre, Kippax and Wharfedale are almost inseparable for the second spot. Eccleshill hold the advantage, particularly through a lower countback from overall individual points, if there is a tie.

Approaching the final event, hosted by Roundhay Runners in three weeks, the men's premier title will be Valley Striders', with St Theresa's runners-up, barring a disaster.

Wetherby hold an advantage in third, with Hyde Park and Saltaire tied for fourth.

Wharfedale Harriers continue to produce the best performances across all three divisions and are guaranteed promotion from Division Two.

Their eight counters were in the top 21 finishers of the 322 male runners.

Terry Forrest, a second claimer for Ackworth, won in 25min 53sec, ahead of Keighley & Craven guest runner Craig Shearer.

A tight group of a dozen chased Forrest home.

Wharfedale's Jack Smith was fourth and Saltaire captain Will Kerr sixth, just on the nod from rival John Hobbs (Valley).

Marcin Soszka broke away from marathon training for a fine 43rd, just ahead of fellow Saltaire runner Carl Kernick.