Rory McIlroy still holds the lead at the halfway stage of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic but he has seen his advantage cut to one stroke.
As one of the late starters McIlroy had a fair idea of the score he would need to shoot to maintain his control of the European Tour event, but he was in a three-way share of the lead with one hole remaining of his second round.
A birdie at the final hold meant a round of 68, which was enough to give the Holywood golfer a one-shot lead at 11-under.
Any hopes McIlroy may have had about shooting a flawless round ended as early as the second when he took a five, but he did not drop another shot as he carded a four-under 68.
South African Thomas Aiken had held the clubhouse lead on ten-under until McIlroy's birdie at the 18th.
Aiken fired a five-under 67 to end the day in a share of second alongside Spain's Sergio Garcia, with Englishman Steve Webster a further two strokes back on eight-under.
Those at the top of the leaderboard will be very aware of Tiger Woods' presence after his brilliant 66 on Friday.
The world number three enjoyed a bogey-free round to climb into contention and he will start Saturday in a share of fifth alongside Northern Ireland's Micheal Hoey, Dane Anders Hansen, Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Australian Brett Rumford.
World number one Lee Westwood is six shots off the lead on five-under with Martin Kaymer a further stroke back.