Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg on Thursday went head to head in the second of three 90-minute live televised debates being held before the May 6 general election.
Pressure was on the prime minister and the Tory leader to improve their performance after Mr Clegg enjoyed a runaway win in the first debate a week ago, when he impressed voters by stressing the differences between his party and those of his opponents.
But snap polls carried out immediately after Thursday's debate on Sky News found voters divided over which leader they believed was the winner.
A YouGov poll for The Sun declared Mr Cameron the victor, with 36 per cent of debate viewers backing him compared to 32 per cent for Mr Clegg and 29 per cent for Mr Brown.
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However, a ComRes poll for ITV had Mr Clegg the winner on 33 per cent, despite his support falling 10 percentage points on a similar poll carried out last week when the commercial broadcaster hosted the first debate.
Support for Mr Brown rose 10 points to 30 per cent, putting him on level pegging with Mr Cameron, who was up four points.
A third poll by Populus for The Times had a tied result, with Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron on 36 per cent followed by Mr Brown on 27 per cent.
The Liberal Democrats have enjoyed a surge in opinion polls published in the past week, with Mr Clegg's party overtaking Labour and the Tories in some cases.
If the surprising lift in support for Britain's third-largest party continues, the nation faces the ever-increasing prospect of a hung parliament.
Up until the TV debates began, the Tories had been expected to win the election after leading the opinion poll results for several months amid a backdrop of perceived voter frustration with 13 years of a Labour government.
In their latest TV clash, the leaders were far feistier than a week ago, as they debated issues ranging from British troops in Afghanistan, immigration levels, the country's economic problems, and stances held by the Catholic Church.
At one point, Mr Brown noted Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg appeared to be "sounding like my two boys squabbling at bath time" as they argued over defence spending.
The prime minister urged voters to remember that although the election "may have the feel of a TV popularity contest", it was about "delivering a better future for this country".
"If it is all about style and PR, count me out. If it is about the big decisions, if it is about judgment, if it is about delivering a better future for this country - I am your man," he said.
Mr Cameron said it was clear voters wanted change and that the Tories were best placed to deliver it.
"If you vote Conservative you will get a new team on 7 May and we won't be stuck with what we have got now," he said.
Mr Clegg said the two "old parties" had let voters down and a dramatic change was needed.
"I want us to lead in the world and I want us to lead in Europe, not complain from the sidelines," he said.
