Mysql group function error,wanted a second max value -

getting error on below mysql query

invalid group function use

select logtime   sgwebdb.audit_log  logtime < max(logtime)    , userid = 'admin'    , activity = 'login'; 

try instead:

select logtime   sgwebdb.audit_log  logtime < (select max(logtime) sgwebdb.audit_log )    , userid = 'admin'    , activity = 'login'; 

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update

for second max value can this:

select logtime  (    select logtime     sgwebdb.audit_log    userid = 'admin'      , activity = 'login'    order logtime desc    limit 2 ) t order bt logtime  limit 1;