Croydon sprinter James Ellington regretted not capitalising on a good start during his 150m encounter at Great City Games in Manchester on Saturday.

It looked very much like the battle to reach the line first at the end of Deansgate was going to be between the 29-year-old and Danny Talbot, but Holland’s European 200m champion Churandy Martina overtook the British duo during the last 30m to clinch victory in 15.21secs.

Talbot took second place in 15.30secs, with Ellington third in 15.37secs.

“I didn’t really set myself up well for the race but it was still a good start regardless,” said Ellington, the British 2013 champion.

“The only difference between having a good start and the reaction and getting out from a good start was I didn’t carry any momentum.

“I tired up a little bit and If you haven’t got good great momentum and start tiring up then it’s hard to come back.

“To tell you the truth I never open up good here, but it’s the fastest I’ve run here.”

Ellington, who has a season best of 10.10secs in the 100m and 20.49secs in the 200m, both achieved in the US last month, is now focusing on securing his place in the GB team for the forthcoming World Championships via the British Championships and trails in July.

“The main thing for me right now is to run quicker at the British trials and this race was just to knock the dust off really,” he added.

“In the next couple of weeks I’m going to get some hard training in and sharpen up ready for the Trials.”