Record-breaking shooter Mick Gault took his tally of Commonwealth Games medals to 15 on Saturday after keeping his cool to add a ninth gold to his collection.

On the final day of shooting action the 51-year-old added gold to the two silver and one bronze medals he had already claimed in Melbourne after winning the 25m standard pistol.

Competing in his fourth Games, Gault had already passed swimmer Karen Pickering's all-time English record of 13 medals but was on target again to increase his tally.

However, England's most decorated athlete had to do it the hard way after a tie with Pakistan's Irshad Ali resulted in a shoot-off.

"The shoot-out brought back memories from Manchester when I had a shoot-off for bronze," said Gault.

"To do it again was amazing, my heart was pounding but after my final five shots I just had to sit and watch."

He added: "I'm in shock and a bit surprised. I didn't expect to win today. The score was one of the best I've had for a long time.

"To win today was a fantastic way to end a great Games for shooting."

And the emotional civil servant from Norfolk also revealed the stress he'd been under.

"Leading up to the Games the pressure was fantastic, and also at the start of the Games," he said.

"And my coach was aware that my head nearly exploded."

Gault and Ali went into the shoot-off after both their scores from the initial rounds tallied 568 and in a dramatic conclusion to the event Gault won 44 to 41. Australia's Bruce Quick finished third with a score of 562.

England's shooters have been on top form Down Under with Gault's final day gold bringing the total to an impressive 19 medals.

Peter Underhill, England's shooting team manager, added, "I'm very pleased with what the whole team has achieved.

"Mick has been the big focus, with him overtaking Karen Pickering's record, but we mustn't forget the achievements of all the others, including several young talented shooters who've won medals and set personal bests.

"To win 19 medals is the highest ever by an England team at a Commonwealth Games."

Elsewhere, in the men's skeet today Richard Brickell and Clive Bramley were unable to build on Gault's heroics, finishing 19th and 23rd respectively.