COLIN Jackson failed to complete the first of what he hoped would be a golden retirement double when he finished second in the 110m hurdles in Manchester last night.

The Welsh flyer, the king of hurdles, plans to retire after the World Indoor Championships and was aiming to sign off with gold at both the Commonwealth Games and next month's European Championships.

But a disappointing time of 13.39 saw Jackson finish second to 1998 bronze medalist Shaun Bownes of South Africa.

And the Welshman was candidly honest about a performance which, despite finishing second, ranks as one of his worst in a major championship. "I ran badly, simple as that," he said.

"I had a clumsy start and slaming into the first hurdle cost me the race. "The track was quick and I didn't adjust my style which meant I hit the first too close and caught it high. When that happens you're always going to strugle."

Jackson's diappointment at his performance was compounded by the knowledge that a good run would have seen him win comfortably.

"I'm disappointed with the way I ran because I know that if I'd run well I'd have been miles out in front. But I made mistakes and they cost me."

Meanwhile, Wales' men just squeezed into the final of the 4x100m relay. The sprint quartet finished fifth in their semi-fianl heat in a time of 39.62secs, and were unsure of qualifying until South Africa were disqualified and Wales promoted to fourth.

Kevin Williams had got the Welsh side off to a great start, but a slow batton change between Doug Turner and third runner Jamie Henthorn put Wales back down the field. By the time Henthorn reached Christian Malcolm, the Welsh were back in fifth.