Jake Heyward didn’t quite know what to think after playing his part in a miracle men’s 1500m at the Commonwealth Games.

The Cardiff star was fired up for Birmingham by the disappointment of having narrowly missed the team for last month’s World Championships in Eugene, where he trains.

Heyward tore up the track at the Alexander Stadium and was one of eight athletes in a field of 12 to set new personal bests over the metric mile.

The 23-year-old sliced a massive 1.74 seconds off his lifetime best, clocking 3:31.08, that was only enough for fifth in a race won by Australia’s Ollie Hoare in a Games record time.

He said; “I’m disappointed because I feel a medal was in reach. I made a few tactical decisions when I could have been a little bit more patient.

“I was running in lane two for most of that race and at that pace I probably should have been a bit more patient.

“At the same time, I put myself in the mix and I was always there or thereabouts. I just lacked that little bit at the end.”

This summer, Team Wales, supported by funding raised by National Lottery players, compromises of over 200 athletes, all vying for medal success.

Scotland’s Jake Wightman held on for bronze in 3:30.53.

Having finished fourth behind Wightman, Josh Kerr and Neil Gourley at the British Championships, Heyward was left to watch the former scoop the world 1500m title.

He said: “It was tough, man. I was so happy for Jake and Josh coming one and five but at the same time when you’re in the mix, you want it to be you.

“I want to be the one hunting the medals. I was closer today and as an athlete, all you want to do is improve year-on-year. I’m still young and this is probably my best performance at a championships.

“Everything’s going in the right direction but I’m just not coming away with a bit of silver.”

 Elsewhere Heather Lewis brought down the long-standing British 10m race walk record for fifth place.

The Pembrokeshire star crossed the line in 45:09.19 to finally knock off Lisa Kehler’s mark of 45:09.57 that was set at the same track in the year 2000.

Lewis said: “It was absolutely incredible, one of the best races and experiences I’ve had in the sport.

“I couldn’t have given it any more than that, I’d have loved to have won a medal but I’m so proud of what I’ve done in an amazing field.”

Lewis was followed home by team-mate Bethan Davies who came sixth in a season’s best clocking of 45:45.59.

Osian Jones finished sixth in the men’s hammer with team-mate Jac Palmer in 11th place.

National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and get involved by using the hashtag: #TNLAthletes.