Sussex's two remaining representatives in the European Tour Qualifying School, Mark Hilton and Ryan Fenwick, missed out on the final cut in Sotogrande.

Having gained places from the second qualifying stage in northern Spain, both Hilton and Fenwick did well to make the final hurdle which must be the most traumatic test in golf.

The marathon of six rounds left virtually no room for error and, consistent with Sweden's high profile in golf, it was Johan Skold who topped the qualifiers with a 415 total and 17 under-par.

Neither Hilton, from Lewes or Bognor's Fenwick made the cut for the last two rounds. Of the two, Fenwick was the more consistent with 84th spot on 290 (72, 74, 70, 74).

This meant he only missed playing the last two rounds by one stroke and the reward was gaining a place on the Challenge Tour next season.

Fenwick and Hilton joined 166 other hopefuls for only 35 places up for grabs in the final two rounds.

Fenwick said: "I was gutted. I putted OK but not great and 35 putts in my last round was too many. But I regard getting to the final qualifying as a big achievement and, overall, I played well."

Mark Hilton was 121st on 294 (74, 78, 70, 72).

After playing at Perelada and then flying down to Sotogrande and paying tournament entry fees (alone nearly £1,000 each), the pair had shelled-out close on £3,000 for a trip in which the only reward was further experience.

Having suffered a knock-down, they dusted themselves off and started all over again.

Hilton lost no time in jetting out to the Zimbabwe Open.

Last season he won his South African tour card and is not required to pre-qualify.

He will be joined by Fenwick and ESN's Ed Burlison-Rush.