Richard Sterne recorded a round of 70 on day two of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic to lead by one shot at the halfway stage of the tournament.
The South African could not repeat his faultless round of 62 from the first round but a two-under-par round of 70 was enough to hold a slender advantage going into day three.
Thorbjorn Olesen, Tommy Fleetwood and Stephen Gallacher remained in contention on 11-under-par while Chris Doak lies a shot further adrift after a round of 69.
Spain's Sergio Garcia sits on eight-under-par alongside last week's Qatar Masters winner Chris Wood.
World number eight Lee Westwood fell to tied-27th after a round of 71.
