By Mark Staniforth, PA Sport

Liverpool light-middleweight Paul Smith won his battle of Britain with Scot Craig McEwan to reach his first Commonwealth final.

McEwan stormed back from a bad start in a thrilling finish but Smith clung on to clinch a 20-19 verdict.

The 19-year-old was drawn into a tough fight by his more experienced opponent and admitted he had reached the gold medal match without producing anything like his best.

Smith said: "There is so much more to come from me. In all my bouts so far I haven't fought as well as I could.

"There is still a lot more in me which might come out for the final. I'm a bit tired and achey but I've got the buzz and I always do well in the big stage."

Smith will face the impressive Canadian Jean Pascal in Sunday's final and warned: "He will have to kill me to beat me. I am going to have the Canadian's face in my head during everything I do for the next two days."

Disappointed McEwan said: "I started too slowly. I came back well and he's a tough fighter, but on another day I would have beaten him."

Darren Barker admitted he had mixed feelings today after being given a walkover into the light-welterweight final.

Barker was required to put on his gloves and headguard and stand in his corner for a second before his bout against absent Nigerian Davidson Emenogu was declared over.

Emenogu is believed to have injured his ankle whilst playing a friendly game of football in the athletes' village last night.

Barnet 20-year-old Barker will now face tough Ugandan Mohammed Kayongo with at least a silver medal in the bag.

Barker said: "I just felt really stupid being out there. It was a bit of a let down once I saw the size of the arena.

"I went through the same routine all day even when I got to the weigh-in and found out the Nigerian was 50-50.

"Now I'm in the final and I'm fighting a guy who is not in my category.

"I came here knowing from day one that I was going to win gold but I've got a few nerves for the final now."