Norfolk professional Chase Davis was denied a first Order of Merit victory when Stuart Brown pipped him in an exciting PGA East of England play-off at Bentley.

Peterborough-based Brown made a birdie at the seventh extra hole after he and Davis were the last two standing in a four-man play-off thriller at the Essex venue.

Davis, Brown, Steve Harris and James Scade all finished at four-under-par after the two-round tournament. The 29-year-old Davis had looked the likely winner when he chipped in for birdie from the front of the green at the second extra hole.

But Brown sank a 15-footer downhiller for a birdie of his own to keep his challenge alive.

The pair continued to tussle for a further five holes before Brown struck a glorious 6-iron to eight feet and made the putt for a two, while Davis' effort just rolled by the hole.

It was the second time Davis had been edged out in a play-off, having suffered a similar outcome 12 months ago at the hands of European Tour winner Simon Khan in the London Open.

But the Marriott Sprowston Manor-attached golfer said: 'I enjoyed it, to be fair. I had four birdies in the seven holes – I'm happy. I thought I had it with that chip-in (on the second play-off hole). I thought that was the one but then Browny holed his from 15 feet – it was a good putt.

'I've had three seconds in Order of Merit events – I hope one will come my way. We'll keep going.'

Fellow Norfolk ace Ian Ellis finished in a tie for ninth, three shots back from the play-off quartet.

• Bentley Order of Merit (PGA in England East)

Leading scores: 140: S Brown (Thorpe Wood) 68 72 (won at 7th play-off hole), S Harris (The Shire) 72 68, C Davis (Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel) 68 72, J Scade (Little Channels Golf Centre) 67 73. 141: R Coles (Maylands G&CC)) 71 70, G Portelli (Old Fold Manor) 69 72, B Kerr (Bourn Golf and Leisure) 69 72. 142: I Campbell (Cheshunt Park). 143: C Housden (Little Channels Golf Centre) 76 67, J Taverner (Hendon) 74 69, M Talbott (Thorpe Hall) 73 70, J Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City) 72 71, I Ellis (Great Yarmouth & Caister) 71 72. 144: D Close (South Beds) 73 71, J Levermore (Little Channels Golf Centre) 72 72, Ed Morton (EM Golf Studio) 72 72, C Baron (West Essex) 71 73, P Abbott (John O'Gaunt) 71 73. 145: A Pike (Brampton Park) 74 71, M Davis (Thorndon Park) 74 71, T Phillips (Hadley Wood) 72 73, D Salisbury (Three Rivers G&CC) 71 74, M King (Rayleigh Golf Range) 69 76. 146: G Carter (Five Lakes) 74 72, P Grotier (Essex G&CC) 70 76, A Pestell (Chelmsford) 69 77. 147: D Charlton (Dunstable Downs) 76 71, P Spraggs (Stonham Barns Golf Centre) 71 76, J Nicholls (The Rayleigh Club) 70 77.

Selected others: 148: W Farley (Rushmere) 73 75. 150: A George (Ely City) 78 72, N Cains (Swaffham) 74, 76. 151: J Lambert (Wensum Valley) 74 77.