Ranked world number two, Coll was a strong favourite to emerge victorious in Birmingham but had to use every ounce of energy to see off Makin at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre.

Coll was forced to come back from one game down on two occasions before completing a 3-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7 victory in 97 minutes.

"They were asking me in the Athletes' Village how the match was going to go and I predicted it would last 80 minutes minimum," said Coll.

"I was prepared, I think we both were.

"We're not stupid.

"We both know what we bring to the table, and we knew it was going to be a battle.

"I think we were both hurting at the end, so luckily I had a five-point lead [in the fifth game].

"I'm not going to lie my quads and calves were going.

"My calf was in full cramp at the end."

Coll was aiming to go one better than four years ago when he lost to England’s James Willstrop in the Gold Coast 2018 final.

But the New Zealander got off to the worst possible start as Makin charged into a 10-2 lead before sealing the game at the second time of asking.

Makin was proving a tough nut to crack as he stayed calm and composed during many lengthy exchanges and was winning the bulk of them.

Coll kept plugging away and eventually broke through Makin’s resistance, clinching the second game with a brilliant sliced forehand.

Momentum was starting to shift Coll’s way as he moved 6-3 in front before Makin turned the game around.

Makin kept Coll guessing with his variety and was continuing to pose problems for his opponent.

Coll managed to turn the tide in the fourth game as he levelled the match for the second time.

The pair were continuing to produce exceptional rallies as both refused to give an inch.

It was squash of the highest order as Coll opened up a sizeable lead in the decider despite the best efforts of Makin.

There were many standout rallies with both men leaving it all on the court but it was Coll who came out on top.

"I'm a bit lost for words," said Coll.

"It was a massive battle out there and although I tried to concentrate from start to finish, I was getting a bit lost out there at times.

"I'm proud of the way I turned it on in the fourth and the fifth, when it really counted, to come back from 2-1 down.

"I'm ecstatic."

The bronze medal went to India’s Saurav Ghosal who pulled off a stunning performance to beat reigning champion Willstrop 11-6, 11-1, 11-4.

While there was disappointment for England in the men’s singles, the host nation claimed gold and bronze medals in the women’s event.

Georgina Kennedy came out on top, defeating Canada’s Hollie Naughton 11-7, 11-5, 12-14, 11-5.

The world number eight almost finished the job in three games as she clawed her way back from 10-4 down to create a match-ball chance at 12-11 before Naughton forced her into a fourth.

Naughton was unable to build on that, though, as Kennedy ran out a comfortable winner.

"Right now, I wish I could put into words what this means to me, but I honestly can’t," said Kennedy.

"The dream has become reality.

"I have been thinking about how this would feel for so long, and have been building up to this for two years now.

"Now it has happened, I’m just a bit speechless."

Kennedy was joined on the podium by Birmingham-born Sarah-Jane Perry, who produced a remarkable comeback to defeat New Zealand’s Joelle King in the bronze-medal match.

Perry came from two games down and saved two match balls to clinch a 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 14-12.

The English ace said she gained inspiration from the words of Kennedy following their semi-final clash.

"In her interview she said she didn’t want our match to go to five because she knew how much of a fighter I was," said Perry.

"I really used that energy today and made sure that I proved her right.

"I’m not called the 'Gladiator' for nothing."

Competition is due to continue tomorrow.