Corhampton's Neil Raymond will go into the final round of the Brabazon Trophy needing to overcome a five-shot deficit to make history.

The Hampshire star has won the English Men's Open Amateur Championship the last two years and is chasing an unprecedented hat-trick this week.

Raymond was eight shots off the leader at the halfway stage, but a one-over-par effort at Formby today reduced the arrears by three.

Raymond (+5) is tied ninth and will need to mount a big charge in tomorrow's final round to overhaul leaders Jordan Smith and Brian Casey (both level-par).

Meon Valley's Harry Ellis moved into a tie for 22nd after a level-par effort today kept him on eight-over for the tournament.