Brett Rumford saw his overnight lead wiped out within the space of three holes in the second round of the St Omer Open but he reestablished a two-shot cushion at eight under par.
The Australian had led by two shots after shooting a course record 64 in yesterday's first round, a round containing seven birdies and no bogeys.
But the 25-year-old immediately blotted his copybook when the battle for the £46,000 first prize resumed in northern France this morning.
Starting from the 10th, Rumford bogeyed his opening hole and also dropped a shot on the 12th to drop back to five under par.
That was only good enough for a three-way tie for top spot alongside Argentina's Cesar Monasterio, who had yet to begin his round, and Italy's Federico Bisazza who had picked up two birdies in 12 holes.
However, a birdie from 25 feet on the 18th was followed by another on the first and at seven under Rumford was two shots clear again.
Irishmen Philip Walton and Gary Cullen are ten strokes adrift at two over while Damien McGrane is one shot better with two holes to play.