A tidy round of 68 gave France's Karine Icher a two shot lead after 54 holes at the Spanish Open at the Club de Campo in Salamanca.

The 23-year-old, who enjoyed two wins during her rookie year of 2001, now stands at 10 under par, with New Zealand's Lynnette Brooky and Raquel Carriedo her nearest challengers.

Icher can expect a stiff challenge from the two during the final round, with Carriedo the leading golfer on the European tour.

Carriedo, joint halfway leader, managed a steady 70, while Brooky shot 69.

Another Spaniard, Sara Beautell, was alone in third place at three adrift on seven under 209, with Marine Monnet and Marina Arruti another shot back.

Four players are tied in sixth place on four under.

Britain's Julie Forbes lies five behind Icher after a third round 71.

Second-round leaderboard (GB and Irl unless stated):

10 under - Karine Icher (Fra) 69 69 68
Eight under - Lynnette Brooky (Nzl) 66 73 69, Raquel Carriedo (Spa) 70 68 70
Seven under - Sara Beautell (Spa) 69 71 69
Six under - Marine Monnet (Fra) 74 68 68, Marina Arruti (Spa) 71 70 69
Five under - Julie Forbes 69 71 71
Four under - Kirsty Taylor 75 69 68, Iben Tinning (Den) 70 71 71, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 68 73 71

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