Former world amateur number one Jamie Moul surged into a share of second place in the third round of the European Tour's qualifying school stage two at Costa Ballena in Spain.
The 24-year-old from Essex, who has struggled to gain a foothold in the professional game after a glittering career in the unpaid ranks, fired a six-under 66 for a 12-under aggregate of 204 to sit just a shot behind Jordi Garcia Pinto of Spain heading into the closing round.
Edinburgh's former Walker Cup player David Patrick continued his steady progress with a third consecutive 69 for ninth place, but fellow Scot Raymond Russell - fourth in the 1998 Open and a tour winner in 1996, slipped to a 73 and outside the qualifying mark.
At Montenmedio, Harrogate's John Parry, another former Walker Cup man, moved into a share of fourth with a 69, four shots behind pacesetter Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay.
Perthshire amateur Wallace Booth, who helped Scotland win the Eisenhower Trophy in Australia last month, stayed on course to complete a memorable few weeks as he eased himself into seventh on 211 after a 70.
Bristol rookie Chris Wood, fifth in July's Open at Royal Birkdale, barged back into the qualifying places with a two-under 70 to share 15th.
Spaniard Santiago Luna extended his lead over the Arcos Gardens field to seven shots after a classy 66.
The 45-year-old, a winner on tour in 1995, finished the day on 15 under with a commanding advantage over English duo James Ruth and James Morrison.
Former Irish PGA number one Simon Thornton is fourth on 209 after a 72 while Wales' double European Tour winner Mark Mouland is just outside the all-important top-20 on 214.
Yorkshire rookie Danny Willett, the former world amateur number one, fired a 69 at Sherry Golf Jerez to haul himself into ninth.
Latest third round scores & totals
(Gbr & Irl unless stated)
Costa Ballena
(Par: 72)
203 J Garcia Pinto (Spa) 62 72 69
204 J Moul 69 69 66, P Bocian (Swe) 73 65 66
205 J Grillon (Fra) 66 70 69, M Reale (Ita) 69 66 70
206 J Abbate (Arg) 72 69 65, J Mellor 67 71 68, N Smith (USA) 69 66 71
Montenmedio
(Par: 72)
206 F Zanotti (Par) 68 71 67
209 M Quiros (Spa) 68 68 73, A Kristiansen (Nor) 67 70 72
210 A Snobeck (Fra) 69 72 69, J Parry 69 72 69, N Harris 73 66 71
211 W Booth 70 71 70, G Woodman 70 71 70
Arcos Gardens
(Par: 72)
201 S Luna (Spa) 66 69 66
208 J Ruth 70 72 66, J Morrison 69 70 69
209 S Thornton 67 70 72
210 A Bernadet (Fra) 71 71 68, J Little 68 72 70, M Ford 68 71 71, D Kupper (Ger) 71 66 73
Sherry Golf Jerez
(Par: 72)
202 J Guerrier (Fra) 68 66 68
206 S Jeppesen (Swe) 69 67 70
208 N Meitinger (Ger) 72 72 64, F Calmels (Fra) 69 71 68, J Makitalo (Fin) 70 68 70
210 A Crux 71 70 69, D Higgins 73 69 68, C Carranza (Arg) 66 71 73
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