Donald Thomas of the Bahamas took the high jump gold as Britain's two World Championship finalists failed to make a serious impression.

Tom Parsons and Martyn Bernard had both set personal bests in qualiying to make this the first time that Britain had had two athletes in the final.

However, the duo were unable to replicate those efforts as Thomas took the glory on countback after he was one of three athletes to clear 2.35m.

Bernard gambled after a big clearance at 2.21m on his third attempt and passed at 2.26 and 2.30. He narrowly missed 2.33 and then had two unsuccessful attempts at 2.35 to finish 14th.

Parsons cleared both 2.21 and 2.26 at his final attempt but bowed out at 2.30 for 10th place.

Thomas won the gold courtesy of his first-time clearance at 2.35.

Russia's Yaroslav Rybakov, the world indoor champion, won silver with Cyprus' Kyriakos Ioannou third after setting a new personal best.

Olympic champion Stefan Holm - clear at the first attempt at all the heights up to and including 2.33 - just missed out on a medal, finishing fourth.

Thomas said his attitude towards the event had been key to his success.

"I'm not surprised I won. I always want to be on top," he said. "I took it like an everyday competition. And it was a nice one, I hope people in Bahamas will celebrate even more than me.

"(The) Olympics is next target and after more training and learning the event the goal could be also the world record," added the basketball player turned athlete.