In the dying minutes of a heated second presidential debate, an audience member asked Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump to reveal one thing they admire about each other.

It was a unique moment of positivity following more than an hour of highly personal digs, including discussion and allegations of sexual assault from both sides.

“Regardless of the current rhetoric would either of you name one positive thing that you respect in one another?” asked the audience member. 

The Democratic candidate took the tricky question first, going for a roundabout compliment not aimed directly at Mr Trump himself.

Asked to name something positive about one other, Clinton says “his children”; Trump says “she’s a fighter” #debate https://t.co/Rmx8kXRW6E

— CNN (@CNN) October 10, 2016

“I think that a very fair and important question. I respect his children,” Ms Clinton said.

“His children are able and devoted and I think that says a lot about Donald. I don’t agree with nearly anything else he says or does but I do respect that.”

Mr Trump thanked Ms Clinton for her answer before providing his own, more complimentary answer.

“I don’t know that was meant to be a compliment but it is a great one. I am very proud of my children,” he said.

“I will say this about Hillary. She does not quit, she does not give up. I respect that.

“She is a fighter. I disagree with much of what she is fighting for … but she does fight hard and she does not quit and she does not give up.

“I consider that to be a very good trait.”