Paynter placed fourth and fifth respectively in their events last night at Francisco Montaner Stadium here as lack of regular exposure at this level was evident for both of them.

Smith finished the 5,000 metres final fifth out of seven competitors but had his final position changed to fourth following the disqualification of Guatamalan Ivan Gomez for pulling down his shorts and making a gesture to the crowd after finishing the race in third place.

He was subsequently denied the bronze medal as Puerto Rican J.Ceballos moved from fourth to third to take the bronze in a time of 14:31.08.

Smith finished in a time of 14:55.98 having stayed with the lead pack of five for the first four laps before slipping back to fifth where he stayed for the remainder of the race as the Mexican pair of Garcia and Apolonio set the pace to finish one-two in 13:57.84 and 14:06.43 respectively.

"I was too tight and couldn't respond to the surges,'' said a disappointed Smith afterwards. "It always happens in these short races but I never gave up.

"I'm totally disgusted. This is my first race on track for about eight or 10 years and I usually like to put in a couple of 400s during warm-up, but I couldn't get that in.'' The difference in the calibre of the runners was clearly evident as the Mexican pair paced the race perfectly, running together while Ceballos and Gomez battled for the bronze a short distance back.

"It should have been an easy sub-14:30 for me, but in faster races I always tighten up,'' Smith added.

"My fitness is definitely there but it's a matter of getting over the barriers. I need to get to these events more regularly.

"I'm not negative about it, but I will take it for what it is and build on it. I'll go back home and get more motivated.'' Paynter, despite having a broken finger on her throwing hand, offered no excuses for her performances in the javelin as she placed fifth of seven competitors.

Paynter twice threw 45 metres, 45.30 in her second throw and 45.20 with her fifth before ending her attempt at a medal with a final throw of 37.36.

"No excuses, I was pathetic,'' said the 24-year-old Paynter.

The event was won by Isel Lopez of Cuba with a throw of 61.48 metres while Xeomara Revera of Cuba picked up the silver with her best throw of 57.02.

Patricia Alonza of Venezuela was third in 50.38 to take the bronze.

Tennis pair Billy Way and Donald Evans lost to Cuba in the team competition to end their participation in the games yesterday.

Way lost his singles match 6-0, 6-2 while Evans went down 6-2, 7-6. The doubles was not played.

"Both players played good but the Cubans were very tough,'' said coach Allan Simmons.

The women's hockey team suffered their heaviest defeat yesterday when they went down 10-0 to Trinidad and Tobago. Today they meet Cuba in their final round-robin match.

KAVIN SMITH -- He was awarded a fourth-place finish in the 5,000 metres after a disqualification last night.