Bradley Dredge completed a second round 70 to take the clubhouse lead at the Johnnie Walker Classic at Gleneagles.
The Welshman - two under par after opening with a 71 - had improved to three under by the time he reached the turn, with birdies on the second and ninth and a bogey at four.
But an eagle three at the 12th and a four at the par five last saw him draw level with Robert Rock and overnight leader Gregory Havret at the top of the leaderboard, despite Dredge dropping a shot on the 16th.
Starting at the tenth, Rock birdied his opening hole and then repeated the trick at the par four 14th.
He dropped a shot at 15 for the second day running but had advanced to five under for the tournament through 13 holes, thanks largely to holing a 30 foot eagle putt at 16, his seventh hole of the day.
Søren Hansen and David Howell had also moved into contention with rounds of 71 and 67 respectively, leaving both a shot off the pace.
On the course, France’s Havret bogeyed the par four opener but atoned for his error at the next with a four on the par five second.
England’s Graeme Storm earlier shot 69 to move into a group on three under par for the tournament, alongside Paul Broadhurst, Christian Cévaër and Gary Orr - all of whom were yet to start their second round.
