Woodsome Hall's Chris Hanson tied third in chase for European Tour cards in Spain

He is tied third at the halfway stage of the six-round European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage at PGA Cataluyna Resort, just one shot off the lead on 199 (70 63 66).

Only three shots further back in a share of ninth place is Oulton Hall's Daniel Gavins (71 65 66) while Hull's Richard Finch is tied for 26th spot (69 66 70).

Challenge Tour player Hanson was four under par through seven holes in round three, birdies at holes three and seven bookends to an eagle at the fifth.

He dropped a shot at the ninth, regained it immediately at the next and then had eight consecutive pars for his 66.

Gavins, who qualified by winning last week's penultimate stage at Lumine Golf and Beach Club, birdies holes one and seven, but stumbled to a bogey at the eighth.

Undeterred, he carded three birdies coming home to match Hanson's 66.

Finch, looking to regain his card after a disappointing season. began with nine pars in succession.

His first shot gained to par at the 10th was negated by a bogey at the next, but after a double bogey at the 13th he bounced back with birdies at 14 and 16.

A marathon six-round week in Girona will ultimately result in the top 25 players and ties earning European Tour cards for next season, with the remainder of the field who make the cut after four rounds taking up spots on the European Challenge Tour for 2016.