Those ahead of McKee in Switzerland included David Gillick

McKee was fourth in the Resisprint meeting at La Chaux-de-Fonds and his time of 46.04 cut .27secs off the mark he set in Stockholm on Tuesday.

"I was tired coming here so I'm a bit surprised with the time," said McKee.

"But I'm also a bit disappointed that I just missed the World Championship standard (45.95) because the final IAAF qualifying deadline was today."

Those ahead of McKee included his compatriot David Gillick who warmed up for his World Championship challenge by clocking a useful 45.59.

The race was won by France's Leslie Dhjone who became the fastest European this season by crossing the line in 45.01.

Another Frenchman Brice Panel took second in 45.54.

With the World Championships now out of reach, McKee is now mulling over whether to end his season at this point.

"I don't have any more races planned for the next couple of weeks so it's 50/50 whether I will knock it on the head for this season.

"I will have a chat with my agent Paul Doyle before making a decision."

The former Irish record holder set his personal best of 45.58 in 2002 and his steady improvement this season will give him renewed optimism that he can claim a place at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Ireland's Gordon Kennedy finished second in the B 400m in 46.87 while another Irishman Brian Murphy clocked 47.34 in the same race.

Kilkenny sprinter Emily Maher continued her recent resurgence when clocking 23.88 to take sixth in the women's 200m.