A nightclub doorman who struck a Merseyside man, causing severe brain damage, said he had meant to "knock him off balance."
Stuart Humphreys struck Scott Sheard during a row outside Southport's Destination club in October 2009.
Scott was left unable to walk, talk or feed himself, and died in January 2012.
Today the second day of an inquest into his death was told Scott, 26, had suffered peritonitis caused by a leak to the feeding tube which he had as a result of the incident.
Giving evidence to the hearing at St George's Hall, Mr Humphreys said he had become concerned that he was about to be assaulted by Scott.
Scott and friend Luke Rigby had argued with the doorman about whether or not Mr Humphreys had pushed him out of the club door.
Mr Humphreys said he had "ushered" him out, and that Scott had tripped on a step in the process.
As the dispute continued, Mr Humphreys said Scott had kept his gaze on him and appeared more aggressive than others who were verbally abusive.
He added: "In my experience, body language is a greater indication of someone's intentions, and I though Mr Sheard's body language was by far the most confrontational."
Mr Humphreys said he believed the blow, which caused Scott to fall to the pavement, was not a forceful one.
He said: "It was a last minute blow, there was no real planning.
"I do not believe it was a punch and there were certainly no injuries to the hand."
He added: "I was attempting to push him away."
The inquest is proceeding.
