Dage Minors remained upbeat despite narrowly missing out on qualification in the 1,500 metres at the Commonwealth Games.

Competing in the first heat at the Alexandra Stadium, the 26-year-old crossed the line ninth in 3min 46.67sec, missing out on one of seven qualifying spots from his heat.

Australian Oliver Hoare won the heat in 3:37.57, while Mafori Ryan Mphahlele, of South Africa, sealed the seventh and final qualification spot in 3:42.92.

To add to frustration, Minors’s time proved quicker than all five of the automatic qualifiers from a tactically run second heat, which was won by Scotland’s Jake Wightman in 3:48.34.

Despite missing out on a place in the final on Saturday, Minors refused to bemoan the qualification process, instead remaining philosophical about his performance, which would have also seen him qualify for the final of the previous Games in Australia four years ago.

“Right now, it’s tough to say, I should have done this, I should have done that because my emotions are high,” he said. “I didn’t run terribly. I don’t want anyone to think I’m upset with my performance. I’m disappointed but not upset.

“My time was decent. At the Gold Coast Games, that time would have got through to the final.”

After a successful season which saw Minors set a personal best of 3:41.24 at the British Miles Club Trafford Grand Prix in Manchester last month, he is remaining positive about his progress as he eyes a return to this level in the future.

“Even if I’m not feeling good, I can run last season’s personal best. That says a lot,” he added. “Hopefully, I can keep coming to these Games. I’m 26 and feel as though I have many years left.”