Dunmow duo Chloe Rogers and Lisa Wooding have missed out on a medal at the Beijing Olympics.

The pair, who both play for Chelmsford Hockey Club, will be leaving China empty-handed after Great Britain ladies team were beaten by the United States in their final pool match.

With Argentina, just one point ahead in second place, playing after them the British failed to exert any pressure on the South Americans as they put in their worst performance of the tournament.

Head coach Danny Kerry said his side had been stifled by their opponents.

“I thought the US closed off our options really well and looking at how many corners they won and how they limited our penetrations is testament to how they played,” he said.

“I felt some players performed really well in trying to keep the US out – Kate (Walsh), Crista (Cullen) and Sarah Thomas.

“We are bitterly disappointed by the performance.”

In truth, the game could have been over before half-time if the States were able to convert penalty corners, of which they had ten in total.

By contrast, the Great Britain team did not register a shot on goal.

The States won seven corners in the first half but failed to convert any, with Kelly Doton firing wide from one and goalkeeper Beth Storry deflecting one with her feet in added time.

Olton’s Rachel Walker drove wide from a tight angle at the far post, after Crista Cullen had picked her out from an 11th-minute free-hit.

Storry made a simple save from Angela Loy’s deflection in the 22nd minute while at the other end, Cullen’s right-wing cross flashed across the circle with no team-mates able to get near it.

The USA had a succession of corners towards the end of the half but could not take advantage.

Five minutes into the second half the States won another penalty corner and Doton’s strike was deflected over by Storry, while Tiffany Snow flashed a reverse-stick shot wide five minutes later.

A ninth penalty corner for the States in the 54th minute almost brought the breakthrough.

But Doton’s strike was deflected on to a post by Loy and a goalmouth scramble somehow got the ball away.

Britain’s first effort of the second half came 11 minutes from time but Slough forward Alex Danson’s cross-shot was never likely to trouble goalkeeper Amy Tran.

Great Britain finally won their first penalty corner with five minutes to go but Slough defender Kate Walsh dragged her flick wide.

The States went straight down the other end to win a corner of their own but Doton’s miserable run continued, with Storry saving twice.

With less than a minute to go Leicester midfielder Helen Richardson blazed over from the top of the circle.

In time added on at the end of the match Great Britain had another penalty corner to rescue their chances but the move broke down – and so did Britain’s medal hopes.