NEWLY-promoted Southampton AC won their opening UK Women's Athletics League Division One fixture by the finest of margins.

Competing on the home soil of the Sports Centre, they saw off Notts AC by just one point.

It was a superb effort by the red and white stripes who, at the halfway point, had trailed Notts by 21 points and were only five in front of the third and fourth-placed clubs.

“I am extremely proud of all the athletes who competed and am honoured to be their team manager” said Tim Hall.

“The victory was accomplished with a fantastic team spirit and the support and commitment by the athletes to the team.”

Sprinters Izzy Bryant, Sophie-Anne Haigh, Mair Edwards, Mandy Gault and Emma Froome hoovered up valuable points - Edwards (23.81) and Gault (24.75) achieving a double first in the 200m and Gault also victorious in the A 400m (56.01).

Chay Clark and Elena Cerdan scored well in the 100m and 400m hurdles and there were points a plenty from middle distance crew Georgina Russell, Rachael Ayerst, Ellie Monks, Sarah Kingston, Nicci Blandford and Anna Sharp.

Sharp (2000m steeplechase) and Kingston (3000m) recorded personal bests.

Vicky Mould (11.68m) and Hollie Garrathy (11.26m) were both second in the A/B triple jump, Phoebe Dowson came third in the A hammer and second in the A discus, while Isobel Gray topped the B discus.

Sarah Ellis was A javelin runner-up and Laura Edwards finished third in the A pole vault.

Overall victory hinged on the 4x400m relay and Southampton's quartet of Clark, Froome, Edwards and Gault didn't disappoint.

They held off rivals Notts by 1.5 seconds to clinch a thrilling overall win.

Hall's team will travel to Bedford for their second match on June 3.

Match result: Southampton 197, Notts 196, Trafford 190, Cardiff 188, Harrow 166, Bedford & County 156, Enfield & Haringey 143, Bristol & West 138.