Trump or Clinton: Who dealt the lowest blow during the third presidential debate?

Despite the third and final US presidential debate being far less ferocious than the fiery second debate, both candidates managed to slip in some low blows during their exchange.

Although both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are aware that barbed comments do not play well with voters, the pair couldn't resist resorting to playground taunts at several points during the otherwise restrained debate.

Disproving Michelle Obama's theory "when they go low, we go high", here are some of the barbs traded during the 19 October showdown.

1. The low comment of the evening was no doubt the muttered insult from Trump, who responded to a derogatory comment made by Clinton with the slur "Such a nasty woman". Clinton chose not to respond.

2. Prompting Trump's outburst was Clinton's jibe: "My social security payroll contribution will go up as will Donald's assuming he can't figure out how to get out of it," referencing accusations that Trump hasn't paid certain taxes for more than 18 years.

3. The pair also traded barbs over Russian president Vladimir Putin, with Clinton telling Trump Putin liked him because: "he would rather have a puppet as president of the United States". Trump shot back: "you're the puppet."

4. Trump reiterated claims Clinton's people find her difficult, stating: "John Podesta said some horrible things about you and boy was he right," and adding her former rival Bernie Sanders had also suggested she had bad judgement. Clinton replied: "You should ask Bernie Sanders who he is supporting."

5. On Trump's claims the election is rigged against him, Clinton said: "every time Donald thinks things aren't going in his direction he claims everything is rigged against him," adding: "He said the Republican primary us was against him. He claims the court system and the federal judge are rigged against him.

"There was even a time when he didn't get an Emmy for his TV programme three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged against him." Trump responded: "Should have gotten it," prompting a laugh from the audience.