Britain's sprint relay quartet had to settle for silver after being beaten by the United States in the 4x100metres at the World Championships in Paris today.
European champion Dwain Chambers was just caught on the line at the Stade de France having taken over on the anchor leg with a slight advantage.
The quartet of Christian Malcolm, Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish and Chambers clocked 38.08seconds but missed out on gold by 0.02secs.
Chambers said: "It should have been gold but I will accept silver because this team is all about building confidence for next year. This boosts confidence."
It was Britain's third medal of the championships following Campbell's bronze in the 100m and Kelly Holmes' 800m silver.
The Americans looked vulnerable with world record holder Tim Montgomery and Jon Drummond absent for varying reasons and former world record holder Maurice Greene injured.
But they could still count on John Capel and Darvis Patton who won gold and silver in the 200m where Campbell finished fourth.
Capel gave the Americans the advantage on the first leg only for excellent runs from Campbell and Devonish to put the Brits within sight of a much-needed gold.
But Johnson, a 200m specialist, produced a storming run down the home straight to snatch the title from Britain's clutches.
The disappointment of missing out on a maiden world 4x100m relay title followed soon after the destruction of Steve Backley's hopes of finally landing World Championship gold in the javelin.
The 34-year-old, twice a silver medallist, was ninth overall after his first three throws and missed the cut-off point by just 21 centimetres.
Backley, who had been left sweating on making the final at the Stade de France after a below par display in qualifying last Friday, again could not find his true form.
This was Backley's last chance of winning the title that has proved so elusive as he plans on quitting after next year's Olympics where he will be searching for his first Games gold.
The four-time European champion's best effort of 80.13m with his third throw was not enough to dislodge Germany's Peter Blank from eighth spot.
It was also another blow to Britain's hopes of adding to their meagre medal tally on the final day of the championships.