The Olympic champion was defeated by compatriot Stephanie Morton after losing out in two closely-fought races, meaning that although she secured an eighth Commonwealth Games medal, she was unable to add a sixth gold.

For 23-year-old Morton meanwhile, it represented the best individual success of a career which had until this point been highlighted by a London 2012 Paralympic gold medal, as able bodied guide in support of tandem rider Felicity Johnson in the 1,000m time trial.

"She is the Olympic champ so I knew she wasn't going to roll over and she didn't," Morton, who won silver behind Meares in the 500m time trial earlier in the week, said about her opponent today.

"It was a tough race.

"I was still to prove myself at a big competition like this so I'm really glad that I've done it today in Glasgow."

Australia'w second gold medal of the day came in the keirin, when Matthew Glaetzer finished ahead of New Zealand's Sam Webster and Malaysia's Azizulhasni Awang after the race was interrupted by raucous celebrations following an impromptu marriage proposal by Scottish rider Chris Pritchard as the riders were preparing to start. 

But the ease with which Glaetzer avoided the distractions summed up the dominance of the Australian team in the Velodrome, with the nation scooping seven of the 13 golds available in the able-bodied events. 

At times it appeared as if their greatest challenge came from New Zealand, who scooped four of the other golds, rather than expected rivals England, although there was cause for English celebration today as Laura Trott crossed the line first in a thrilling points race.  

Laura Trott battled through illness to win points race gold ©Getty Images




In addition to battling the fact the two events in which she won Olympic gold at London 2012, the team pursuit and omnium, were not on the Commonwealth Games programme, the 22-year-old has been struggling with a kidney infection which caused her to finish a lowly 11th in yesterday's scratch race.

But she proved her champion credentials by pipping Wales' Elinor Barker in the final sprint to snatch gold after both riders were tied on 37 points.

Scotland's Katie Archibald claimed bronze.

New Zealand did enjoy golden success on the final day of action, courtesy of Shane Archibald in the men's 20km scratch race, who finished ahead of Glenn O'Shea of Australia and Remi Pelletier of Canada.

This fourth victory matched the nation's highest haul of track cycling gold medals secured at the Auckland 1990 Games.

There was also a second gold medal for England's Sophie Thornhill and guide Helen Scott in the 1,000m tandem time-trial for blind and visually impaired athletes.

They beat Scottish pair Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston in a Games record time of 1 min 08.187sec, while Brandie O'Connor and Breanne Hargrave of Australia placed third.

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