Tom Onslow-Cole has achieved pole position in a sensationally close Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship qualifying session at Brands Hatch.

eBay Motors BMW driver Onslow-Cole had been at the top of the timesheets only for Andrew Jordan to go faster in his Pirtek Racing Honda Civic as the chequered flag fell.

But just seconds later, Onslow-Cole, on his final lap as well, flashed across the line with an even better time to reclaim top spot on the starting grid for the first of tomorrows title-deciding final three races of the season.

Matt Neal was third in his Honda Yuasa Racing Team Civic ahead of Onslow-Coles team-mate Robert Collard who, on his final lap, bumped Jason Plato down to fifth position. Hondas Gordon Shedden, who Plato is chasing for the outright drivers crown, was seventh behind the impressive Adam Morgan in his Speedworks Toyota Avensis.

Platos session, meanwhile, ended with a spin into the gravel trap at Paddock Hill Bend as he made one last effort to improve.

A sensational eighth on his debut was youngster Aaron Williamson in Team HARD.s older S2000-spec Honda Civic.