Greg Searle and Ed Coode were edged out of a medal in a photo finish in the final of the coxless pairs as France surged to a stunning victory.

The British duo made a superb start to the race, leading by 1.18 seconds after the first 500m.

But it was after the halfway mark that French rowers Michel Andrieux and Jean-Christophe Rolland emerged from the chasing pack with a truly breathtaking breakaway.

That surge guaranteed them the gold though Searle and Coode remained in the hunt for silver until the very last strokes of the race.

But Ted Murphy and Sebastian Bea of the United States stole up the inside lane to steal second place and Australia's Matthew Long and James Tomkin of Australia took bronze in a photo finish.

"We are devastated," a visibly disappointed Searle admitted afterwards.

"We rode our best race - we didn't blow it or do anything wrong.

"It felt like we were doing everything right. I can't believe we ended in fourth place.

"We always thought we were quick enough to win, and it's a big shock that we weren't."