JOHN KELLY and John Murray are still in with a fighting chance of reaching the final stage of the European golf Tour qualifying school in Spain at the end of November.

Kelly, from the Ward Driving Range, had a one under par 71 on the second day of pre qualifying at Manchester yesterday. He is now in joint 19th place on 139, seven shots behind the leader Sebastian Delagrange of France. Jim Carvill is joint 50th on 144 while Colin McElderry is joint 56th on 145.

At the Five Lakes course in Essex, Murray, who plays out of Sidcup, had one over par 73 to leave him just outside the top 12 on level par 144. He is seven shots behind the leader Dominique Nouailhac.

At Slaley Hall Ballyclare's Stephen Ham ill is the best of the Irish on 149, seven shots behind the Swede Anders Haglund. A 78 leaves former Irish champion Gary Murphy on 151 alongside Neil Manchip of Royal Co Down.