NORTHERN OPEN SCOREBOARD

The stage is set for an exciting fourth and final round in the Northern Open over the picturesque but punishing Dave Thomas-designed Spey Valley course at Aviemore.

Long-time sole leader Chris Doak, a former winner of the tournament, has been joined by a past Scottish boys' match-play champion, Archerfield Links assistant Lee Harper, orginally from Musselburgh.

They are bracketed together on eight-under-par 208 which is good shooting for a heather-strewn course such as this.

Harper made up his one-shot overnight deficit on Doak with a third-round 69 to 70.

They are two shots clear of Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills), who showed with a six-under-par 66 that if you can keep your ball on the short stuff, then there rewards to be had. Euan Little is sharing third place on 210 after a 67.

SCOREBOARD

Par 216 (3 x 72)

208 L Harper 70 69 69, C Doak 68 70 70.

210 P McKechnie 73 71 66, E Little 70 73 67.

212 R Arnott 72 71 69.

213 J McCreadie 70 70 73.

214 D Orr 73 73 68, G Hutcheon 72 70 72.

215 A Hunter 75 71 69, A Oldcorn 71 70 74.

216 E Thomson76 68 72.

217 I Campbell 74 73 70, C Kelly 72 74 71.

218 S Duncan 70 78 70, R Cameron 76 71 71.

219 K Campbell 72 76 71, S henderson 71 75 73, M Hillson (amateur) 72 72 75, M Barnard 71 73 75, G Dingwall 71 72 76, C Gillies 71 72 76, S Gray 72 69 78.

228 T Buchanan 73 76 71, M Loftus 73 72 75, S Cairns 71 74 75, K Hutton 72 72 76, G McBain 71 73 76.