Jim Carvill kept his hopes alive of surviving tomorrow's cut at the European Tour qualifying school in Spain by firing a one-under-par 71 in yesterday's third round. With the top 75 and ties going through to Sunday and Monday's final rounds, Carvill finds himself about three shots outside the cut. A strong round today could see him through.

But Francis Howley and Damien Mooney are five shots further back after shooting third rounds of 74 and 72 respectively, and would need to produce something special just to make it into the weekend.

The joint leaders after three rounds are Ross Drummond of Scotland, big-hitting Italian Emanuele Canonica and Spaniard Francisco Valera on 206, 10 under par.

Justin Rose shot 70 to lie in 90th position. He still has a long way to go if he is to be among the top 35 who eventually are handed tour cards on Monday night, but Rose said: "That was much more like it.

"I didn't have time to sulk after the first two rounds. We're all big boys out here and we've got to get on with it."

Keith Nolan's chances of winning back his US Tour card were receding last night after the Bray golfer added a 77 to his opening 71 to lie in 157th position. The US school is being led by Ted Purdy, who is 12 under par.