Bradford youngster Janine Belton had a disappointing first dip in the pool, crashing out in the heats of the Commonwealth Games 200m Freestyle.

The 22-year-old was left bitterly disappointed after missing out on a place in last night's final by nearly two seconds.

In front of yet another fanatical crowd at the Manchester Aquatics Centre, Belton finished fifth in her heat, with only the 13th fastest time overall, costing her a place in the individual final.

Capable of much better times, the 2:03.65 was simply not good enough on the day.

"I am very disappointed," said an out-of-breath and frustrated-looking Belton after the event.

"I know I can do better than that and I really thought I would have made it to the final. My personal best time would have been good enough and that is what I was aiming for.

"I am going to have to go back now and talk to my coach and see what went wrong."

At the first turn she was in second place but slowed considerably over the next 10m, struggling to keep up with pace-setting team-mate Karen Pickering and fell to fifth - her dream of an individual final shattered.

But Belton, a gold medal-winner in the relay at last year's World Champion-ships, will be back in the water on Thursday desperate for glory.

"There is still the relay on Thursday and I will be looking to get a medal there," added Belton.

Pickering went on to take gold in the final with Karen Legg completing an English one-two.