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Political parties in Wales have given their verdict on the second televised prime ministerial debate in Bristol.While Labour Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said Gordon Brown "trumped" his rivals, while Conservatives said David Cameron had come out on top.
Welsh Liberal Democrats argued that the policies of their leader, Nick Clegg, struck a chord with many in Wales.
Plaid Cymru, who were excluded from the debates, said there was little difference between the three parties.
Welsh Labour were first off the mark to claim their man had put up the strongest performance.
Welsh Secretary said Mr Brown had "trumped" his rivals with a "confident, prime ministerial performance".
Mr Hain said: "Gordon was on top of his game this evening.
"These debates are exposing David Cameron like never before. The British people have realised he is not up to the job of prime minister.
"Both Cameron and Clegg came across as inexperienced lightweights. Gordon showed confidence and strength, knowledge and commitment." Plaid Cymru's director of elections, Helen Mary Jones, said she was struck by how little difference there was between the three main parties.
Ms Jones said the UK could "no longer afford morally or financially" to spend billions on nuclear weapons.
She argued that none of the leaders were prepared to say that the war in Afghanistan was wrong, and unlike her party none talked about doing more for veterans.
On pensions, she said Plaid would raise the amount given to couples over 80 to £202 a week.
'Snap poll'
She also said there was "a lot of scaremongering" about hung parliaments being unstable, and said that Germany, for example, had worked with coalitions for many years.
She said a hung parliament could have real benefits for Wales as Plaid worked with the Scottish National Party.
The Conservatives claimed that Mr Cameron had won the debate.
The Tories quoted a "snap poll" by the polling organisation YouGov which said Mr Cameron "performed best overall" with 36%, against 32% for Mr Clegg and 29% for Mr Brown.
Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams said Mr Clegg had been "articulate and passionate" and his policies "struck a chord with many people across Wales".
Ms Williams said: "His performance last Thursday was strong but last night's debate proved that all is to play for in this election.
"People right across the country want a change from the old, out of touch and tired Labour and Conservative politics that has dominated this country for the last 65 years.
'Astonishing'
"Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats are the only ones who will deliver the change that people want."
Meanwhile, the BBC Trust has rejected a joint appeal from the Scottish and Welsh nationalist parties against the BBC's decision to exclude them from the prime ministerial debates - separate leaders' debates are being held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Plaid's Helen Mary Jones, said it was "astonishing" that the BBC Trust had not allowed either it or the SNP to put their case across in person.
"Having shown complete disregard for Plaid and the democratic process of our nation the BBC can no longer claim to be a national broadcaster for Wales," she added.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.