Scot Mhairi Spence achieved her best modern pentathlon World Cup finish of the year coming fifth in Rome.

Spence, the 2006 European Championships bronze medallist, was never out of the top five places on the overall leaderboard.

Egypt's Aya Medany, who started the decisive run/shoot in fifth place, claimed gold, overtaking Hungary's Leila Gyenesei in the last of three shooting elements.

Russia's Evdokia Gretchichnikova claimed bronze.

Freyja Prentice, just four days after celebrating her 19th birthday, secured her best-ever World Cup finish in ninth, two places ahead of team-mate Katy Livingston.

Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell had a day to forget, with troubles in the riding arena meaning she finished 34th.

Spence, aged 23, set the early pace for the Brits, producing a good fence and swim to put herself third after two disciplines.

Her 23 victories from 35 contests in the fencing salle earned her 952 points for fifth overall.

She kept up her momentum in the equestrian arena, dropping 60 points for 1140, taking her to fourth overall on 3232 points.

Her time of 13.02.30 in the decisive run/shoot was the fifth fastest overall.