MAX Whitlock and Brinn Bevan narrowly missed out on the medals in the team gymnastics final in the Rio Olympics tonight.

The South Essex Gymnastics Club duo both produced a series of stunning displays.

But Britain – who had held third place for most of the competition – eventually had to settle for fourth after Louis Smith slipped off the pommel horse when attempting a difficult routine on the final routine.

That sealed a third placed finish for China behind Japan and Russia.

But coach Scott Hann – who works with both Whitlock and Bevan in Basildon - was full of praise for Team GB’s gymnasts.

“The guys were absolutely outstanding and pulled together as a team in what was a very hard competition,” said Hann, speaking to Echosport from Brazil.

“Everyone was on it out there and it could have gone either way.

“We could have finished third or we could have finished fifth.

“It was a shame we didn’t get a medal because I felt as though the guys deserved one but we should all be really proud of how they performed.”

And Hann was particularly pleased with his own two gymnasts who performed well under pressure.

“Brinn didn’t put a foot wrong and was just outstanding,” said Hann.

“Max made one small error on p bars but he covered that up with the rest of the apparatus so they should both be very proud of how they performed.”

Whitlock will now be looking to bounce back when he competes in the all around final on Wednesday.