England's 4x400metres relay squad snatched gold from Wales by the closest of margins as the athletics action in the City of Manchester Stadium ended in extraordinary fashion tonight.

The quartet won by just 0.01 seconds after three minutes of pulsating action to claim their sixth gold of the final night and 12 overall.

Birchfield's Daniel Caines just hung on for the title despite the efforts of 400m hurdles silver medallist Matt Elias on the final leg.

Elias took over in fourth but almost caught Caines who had powered into the lead but was denied by the photo finish.

The English quartet of Jared Deacon, Sean Baldock, Chris Rawlinson and Caines won in 3mins 0.40secs to bring the team its 11th medal of the final night.

The Welsh foursome of Tim Benjamin, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch and the day-glo haired Elias clocked 3mins 0.41secs as they claimed their third silver medal of the athletics competition.

Elias was distraught as England's name flashed up winners to give them their 29th medal of the athletics - two less than in Malaysia - and take their gold medal haul to 12, two more than four years ago.

Caines, who ran the last leg of the 4x400m, said: "It's a team effort. The last 40m were really hard, the four rounds of the individual were really heavy on my legs."

Baulch was delighted to have taken silver after injury had ruled him out of the individual 400m.

The Welshman said: "I am really pleased. This time last week I couldn't run.

"You English boys had better watch yourself!"