Both Molly Renshaw and Stacey Tadd secured the qualifying time for the women's 200m Breaststroke in a race that saw the athletes swimming stroke for stroke for the final 50m.
And while 15-year old Renshaw had the lead at the half-way stage, it was Tadd (University of Bath) who ultimately came out on top, touching the wall in a new English record 2:27.37.
"I'm just relieved to have won and posted that time," Tadd said. "It's needed a lot of hard work but I'm there and can enjoy it.
"I felt quite tense towards the end because I could see Molly there but I just kept it going to the end.
"It's an amazing feeling to make the team as a vital step on the road to London."
Renshaw sliced nearly three seconds off her personal best to finish in 2:27.67 and admitted she had surprised herself with such a dramatic improvement.
"I wasn't expecting that at all - I've not rested and was hoping for a 2:29. so to go 2:27 is unbelievable," said Renshaw.
"I didn't intend to make the team but I'm not complaining as it's an amazing achievement for me.
Bronze went to Hannah Miley (Garioch) who finished in 2:28.95.
Loughborough University's Amy Smith just missed out on her individual place in Shanghai after touching 0.03 seconds shy of the qualification time.
She finished the 100m Freestyle in a time of 55.27 to win gold ahead of Rebecca Turner (City of Sheffield) who touched in 55.52 and Smith's club-mate Caitlin McClatchey who finished in 55.81.
World silver medallist Fran Halsall swum the world's fastest time this year of 53.61 in the heats but pulled out of the final due to compete at an international competition in Rome.
Georgia Davies won the title in the women's 50m Backstroke with a Welsh record of 27.96, jumping to third in the world in the process.
Ekaterina Avramova finished in 28.88 to claim silver while Jennifer Oldham (Bath University) won the bronze in a time of 29.52.
Loughborough University's Rachel Lefley won the final gold of the night in the women's 50m Butterfly with a time of 27.38.
Lucy Worrall won the silver in 27.66 and Loughborough University's Tilly Gray won bronze in 27.78.