Montgomerie's last title came in December 2005

Colin Montgomerie maintained his renaissance with a second-round 70 to trail leader Simon Khan by one shot at halfway in the French Open.

The eight-time European number one carded a one-under 71 to reach four under alongside Ryder Cup colleague Paul McGinley of Ireland (69).

Khan fired 67 to add to his opening 70, while Dane Thomas Bjorn (71) was one of a quartet two shots back.

Also at three under were Zane Scotland, Kyron Sullivan and Tom Whitehouse.

Montgomerie, 44, has had a poor season by his standards and slumped to a second-round 82 to miss the cut in the US Open.

One round doesn't make a summer but this gives me confidence to put three and four together Colin Montgomerie

But with new caddie Craig Connelly on his bag in place of Alastair McLean, the Scot mixed three birdies with two bogeys to maintain his challenge for a first title since December 2005.

"I haven't actually put two rounds together all year and 68-70 here is good scoring," he said.

"But one round doesn't make a summer. I had to put two together and this gives me confidence to put three and four together."

Khan, whose only European Tour win came at the 2004 Wales Open, carded a bogey-free round containing four birdies.

"I changed my putter and shortened it and decreased the loft," said the 35-year-old Khan.

"It's the one I had in the loft, but it's a bit battered as my two-year-old's been playing with it. Her stroke was better than mine."

McGinley, also winless since 2005, marred his round with a bogey on the 15th.

"My game is about consistency, but pro golf is not about that - it's about the big weeks and I haven't had any yet this season," said the Dubliner.

"My stroke average is right up there, but on the Order of Merit I'm 120th. It's kind of weird - my game has not been horrendous, but the results have."

Ernie Els's protege James Kamte, the overnight leader with Wales' Sullivan, slipped back to one over after a 78, while Kenneth Ferrie, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell and Jean van de Velde all missed the cut.