Lee Harper stayed on course for the biggest win of his career in the £45,000 Northern Open and insisted he will revel in the pressure of competing in the final pairing at Spey Valley.
The 26-year-old Archerfield assistant posted a three-under 69 for an eight-under aggregate of 208 to share top spot with the 2005 champion, Chris Doak, going into the closing round.
Harper, who had been five under for the day until dropped shots at 16 and 18 pushed him pack into the pack, won the Scottish Boys' championship in 1999 and was a winner on the PGA Europro Tour last season.
"But a win here would probably be my biggest achievement," admitted the former US college student.
"I'm competing against former European Tour players who have played at the top level and I've done well so far.
"These are the moments you want to be involved in as a golfer. I've won events before but this is a big 72-holer, the kind I want to be playing in all the time, and I'm going to enjoy the final day."
Joint-leader Doak, the former Tartan Tour No.1, kept himself in the hunt for the £8,000 first prize with a 70 but it was Paul McKechnie who made the most telling move of the day with a rousing six-under 66.
The Braid Hills pro, a past winner of the Europro circuit's Order of Merit, countered a three-putt bogey at 11 with a haul of seven birdies as he jumped into a share of third on 210 with former Scottish Youths' champion Euan Little.
"I've been playing well and not scoring but today I capitalised on my good shots and that's put me right in there," said McKechnie.
Tartan Tour stalwart Robert Arnott of Bishopbriggs lies in fifth on 212 after a 69 but former PGA champion Andrew Oldcorn slipped off the pace with a 74 for 215.