Ian Poulter struggled in the back nine

Ian Poulter takes a two-shot into the final round of the Wales Open - despite a dramatic late collapse on Saturday.

Poulter, who led by six with five holes of his third round remaining, dropped four shots in the next three holes to give the chasing pack hope of collecting the �250,000 first prize at Celtic Manor.

The 27-year-old from Milton Keynes held his nerve to birdie the last and card an eventful 68, containing six birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double bogey.

The round took him to 16-under for the tournament.

Welshman Phillip Price matched his playing partner's score with an impressive round to keep the pressure on his rival.

But Poulter remained confident of victory despite his late collapse.

"Dropping a few shots at the end has given hope to a few others but the way I've been playing golf the last few days, somebody is going to have to do something special to beat me," he said.

"I've probably hit it better on Saturday than I have all week.

"There were a few hiccups on the back nine but I'm striking the ball so purely I'm delighted.

If I can do the same tomorrow there is no reason why I can't be in the same position going into the back nine Ian Poulter

Price admitted he would have to raise his game on Sunday to overhaul Poulter and claim only his third European Tour title.

"I was pretty pleased with four under but rather than making a lot of birdies I'm not making many mistakes," said Price, who lives just a few miles from the course in Newport.

Price was one ahead of Swede Fredrik Jacobson with Australian Jarrod Moseley and Scot Andrew Coltart another stroke back on 12 under.

Moseley had earlier set the clubhouse target after smashing the course record by two shots with a flawless 63.

The 30-year-old raced home in just 30 shots with birdies at the 10th and 11th and each of the last four holes, to card a 63 and 12 under total of 204.