Bristol & Clifton's Paul Reed came within a whisker of winning a Europro Tour event for the first time after an impressive display in the Brooks Brothers Classic at Five Lakes in Essex.

Reed, 27, led by two shots going into the final round after an opening 71, followed by a spectacular 66.

But, like so many other players on the final day, he fell victim to the severe winds and slipped down the field.

Reed suffered a run of four bogeys and a double bogey from the fourth hole.

But, to his credit, the former Gloucestershire county amateur who turned professional in 2005 after leaving college in Charleston, South Carolina, rallied.

He managed to pick up three birdies on the back nine, eventually finishing five over for the day but level for the tournament to take second place, three strokes behind Sean Whiffin (The Hertfordshire). The £5,000 cheque was his highest prize as a professional.

Reed, who worked in the pro's shop at Bristol & Clifton until earlier this year, has been playing on minor tours this year with limited success.