By Scott Dougal, PA International

Chris Newton of England won bronze after double gold medallist Graeme Brown was controversially disqualified from the men's point race at the Manchester velodrome.

The Australian - winner in the team sprint and 20km scratch race last night - was pulled out by the race commissaires who ruled that he had caused the crash which led to Welshman Will Wright being helped from the track.

Wright went over Isle of Man rider Mark Kelly, who hit the barrier at the top of the track before sliding back down again - the result, the judges ruled - of Brown moving out as he hit the curve.

His helmet shattered on impact and there were fears that he had suffered serious injury.

However, he was able - with assistance - to limp into the pits for treatment.

Greg Henderson won New Zealand's first gold on the track while Brown's countryman Mark Renshaw earned silver.

Brown slammed the decision which he believes cost him his third gold medal in two days.

He said: "I just did my sprint and swung up the track as you do after every sprint. I don't know what's going on.

"It was just a chain reaction in the bunch. I'm sorry for the people who fell. This was my main event. I'm bitterly disappointed."

The crash happened in the early stages of the race but, asked if he though he was going to win, Brown said: "Yes, I felt really good."

But Newton, who had steered clear of the chaos which also saw Australia's Peter Dawson hit the timber, backed the decision.

"The judges were absolutely right. He could have brought half the field down," said Newton.

"It might not have been intentional but it was very dangerous."

The controversey overshadowed the achievement of Greg Henderson, who won New Zealand's first gold on the track while Brown's countryman Mark Renshaw earned silver.