European Championships gold medallist Cook, controversially left out of Britain's team for London 2012, had produced the moment of the Grand Prix so far in his semi-final when he executed a superb spinning kick, catching reigning Germany's world champion Tahir Gulec flush on the chin, knocking him out.

Khodabakhshi dominated his semi-final clash with compatriot Masoud Hajizavareh to set-up a decider between the two men that claimed the other Grand Prix gold so far this season - Cook in Suzhou, China, and Khodabakhshi last time out in Kazakhstani capital Astana.

It was the Iranian who found his rhythm early on holding a one point lead at the end of the first round before stretching his lead in the second as he continually picked off the Manxman.

Trailing by six points going into the final round, Cook, a bronze medallist here last year, knew he had to dig deep and he was getting the support of the large crowd to help him on his way.

A succession of quick-fire shots to the body saw him drag himself to within touching distance of the Iranian, who still looked composed.

Cook then launched his party piece as he spun through the air catching Khodabakhshi high up.

A video replay was called for but instead of getting three points he got none as the judges ruled he had not connected.

With time running out, the Iranian tagged on a couple of more crucial points and despite Cook landing with another spectacular effort for two points, the buzzer sounded with Khodabakhshi coming out on top 13-11.

The Isle of Man's Aaron Cook produced the most exciting moment of the second day of the World Taekwondo Federation Grand Prix in Manchester when he knocked out Germany's Tahir Gulec but lost in the final to Iran's Mahdi Khodabakhshi ©WTF

The evening session had begun with a praise from WTF President Dr Chungwon Choue after he had been presented with a bronze lion as a token of appreciation by the event organisers.

Choue hailed Manchester as the "home of taekwondo".

He added: "Taekwondo is one of the largest sports in the world of Olympics.

"We have over 80 million in the taekwondo family around the world.

"What makes our sport special is it values and fairness."

World Taekwondo Federation Dr Chungwon Choue (centre) praised Manchester as the "home of taekwondo" before the evening session got underway ©WTF

Back on the court, Farzan Ashour Zadeh Fallah had got the night off to a perfect start for Iran as he followed his silver in Astana last time out by bagging the men's under 58kg gold here, slipping under the defences of China's Zhao Shuaoi to land the winning blow in golden point.

Fallah, the Asian champion, was the more aggressive throughout and his efforts were rewarded with a 2-0 lead after two rounds thanks to a well timed punch to the body quickly followed by a sharp kick.

Despite a slight height advantage 19-year-old Zhao was becoming increasingly frustrated and conceded a point after picking up his second kyongo penalty for an illegal kick while in a clinch.

Zhao emerged for the third period knowing that he had to up the pace and he quickly tagged back a point with a sharp kick to the body but it looked like it was not going to be enough.

But, with less than 15 seconds left on the clock, he made his last-gasp move and it paid off as he connected with a beautiful spinning kick to level it up and send the match to golden point.

Spain's Brigida Yague (left, in blue uniforms) beat Hungary's Ivett Gonda in the final of the women's under 49kg contest ©WTF

The first final of the night was had failed to really ignite as Spain's London 2012 silver medallist Brigida Yagüe took on Hungary's Ivett Gonda.

The Spaniard was defending her women's under 49kg title from last year and produced the one true moment of quality right at the end of the second round, connecting with a well-executed shot to the head to bag three points.

Gonda countered to pick up a quick-fire point in response and she done the same early in the third round after Yagüe connected with a shot to the body.

But, the Universiade bronze medal winner could not force the issue as the clock ran down leaving Yagüe to pick up her second successive crown in Manchester.

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