A 69 moved Derbyshire golfer Ian Walley within touching distance of the lead going into the final day of the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Welsh Open PGA Championship.
The Mickleover professional, a joint-runner-up here last year, shot two under par in sunny conditions at Marriott St Pierre to finish just two shots behind leading pair Graham Howell and Sean Mason on four under.
Welsh Order of Merit leader Andrew Barnett's 70 ensured he separates the leading pack and Walley, who is joint-fourth with three-time European Tour winner Stephen Dodd.
The 28-year-old, teeing off at the 10th, made an early statement of intent with two birdies in the first three holes before strengthening his position with a stunning eagle at the 14th.
But consecutive bogeys at the sixth and seventh denied him a place among the leading group - much to his frustration.
"I had it four under at one stage so it could have been better," said Walley, who held the clubhouse lead at the equivalent stage in Chepstow in 2006.
"It was nice playing out there, the greens were holding up better than they were on Tuesday.
"I'll be aiming for as low as possible on Thursday. I've not played a great deal this year but when I have it's not been too bad. I've lacked a little bit of sharpness but it's been okay.
"I've got a good chance of trying to post a score. I won't be out there with the leaders but hopefully I will be in the next couple of groups and will be to post something before they get in."
Howell shot a second successive 69 to move into the lead early in the day and he was soon joined by Mason at the top of the leaderboard after the Teign Valley professional recorded a flawless 67.
"I made three twos which is always pleasing," said Mason, a winner of the now defunct Welsh Classic three years ago.
"I want to go out there and do something similar to today, keep enjoying it really.
It could have been even better for Ferndown Forest professional Howell, whose double bogey at the 18th denied him a solitary lead.
Howell, who earlier made five birdies and a bogey at the seventh, said: "If you had given me 71 at the start of the day I probably would have torn your hand off.
"I'm more than happy with how things stand now. "It's just a little bit frustrating when you have got it to six under to then drop a couple but that's golf.
Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) and Cliff Gough (Sutton Green) were one further behind Walley, while a 69 from former champion Sion Bebb (Vale of Glamorgan) reignited his hopes of a repeat victory as he moved to level par.
But it was a disappointing day for overnight leader Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) who ended the day one over after a frustrating 75.