England's Luke Donald led Welshman Rhys Davies by a stroke with nine holes to play in the Madrid Masters.
A five foot birdie putt on the long ninth was the difference entering the back nine as the pair's ding-dong struggle continued at Real Sociedad Hípica Española Club de Campo.
Out in 33 - he had four birdies and a bogey - Donald stood 19 under par, with Davies 18 under after birdies at the second and fourth.
Two further back in third spot was Italian Francesco Molinari, while on 15 under - and five under for the day - was Ulsterman Graeme McDowell after ten holes.
Earlier Spaniard José Manuel Lara had threatened to produce The European Tour's first 59 when he stood nine under for the day with six to play, but he bogeyed the next and by parring in from there had to settle for a course record-equalling 64.
Donald and Davies started the back nine with three pars each - that made it eight in a row for Davies - and Molinari joined the Welsh golfer with a chip-in birdie at the 12th.
Bogeying the next, however, sent him back alongside McDowell, who hit his approach to within two feet on the 13th and then made a 45 foot putt for his eighth birdie of the round at the next.
He and Molinari were two behind Donald and Davies just one off the lead.
Just as Davies birdied from four feet at the 15th, Molinari eagled the long 16th for the second time in the week - and with that it was a three-way tie on 19 under.
Donald's response was brilliant, though. He also eagled the 16th, but his lead was only one as Davies birdied.
McDowell closed with four pars for a 65 and 17 under. He was clear in fourth, but suddenly four behind.
