Australian beach volleyballers Natalie Cook and Nicole Sanderson finished fourth in the Olympic women's competition when they lost to Americans Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs in the bronze medal play-off.

It was a gutsy effort for the Australians to push the American combination to a third set after Sydney 2000 gold medallist Cook appeared to aggravate a shoulder injury late in the second.

The Australians had been 16-13 up before the three-time Olympian took a heavy fall and took an injury time out.

Cook took to serving underarm and managed to get through the set.

But the Americans took control of the third set to win the match 21-18 15-21 15-9.

Cook had been aiming for her third consecutive Olympic Games beach volleyball medal after winning gold with erstwhile partner Kerri Pottharst in 2000 and bronze in 1996.

It was a slow start for the Australians who lost the first four points before working their way into the match.

But Cook's touch game eventually came to the fore and they started to edge ahead midway through the set.

Then a series of point-blank blocks turned the set back in the Americans' favour, Youngs then McPeak sealing it with great consecutive defensive plays.

Australia took charge of the second before it became apparent Cook's injury would limit her in the decider.

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