DORSET'S European Tour hopefuls Lee James and Gary Emerson enjoyed mixed fortunes in the penultimate round of the Qualifying School at San Roque in Spain today.

Parkstone-based James carded a four-under-par 68 to move up to joint 24th place while Emerson slumped to tied 60th after a four-over-par 76.

Both players go into tomorrow's sixth and final round with their livelihoods at stake after losing their playing privileges last month.

Only the top 30 and ties will receive a European Tour card for the 2008 season.

"It's obviously going to be nerve-wracking, but everyone is in the same position," said James, who was due to tee off at 9.10am tomorrow morning.

"Unfortunately the weather looks awful with heavy rain and lightning forecast, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens."

James's shot of the day came at his 12th hole - the 459-yard second - when he struck a six iron from the bunker to within two feet from the pin.

"That kick-started my round and I went on to give myself plenty of chances," added James, who also birdied the fifth, seventh and ninth holes.

Wimborne-based Emerson, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle tomorrow after a fifth round that included a quadruple bogey eight, a double bogey seven, two bogeys and four birdies.

James's scores: 72, 69, 74, 73, and 68 for a four-under-par total.

Emerson's scores: 72, 71, 71, 71, and 76 for a one-over-par total.