Alastair Forsyth keeps himself in title hunt

Alastair Forsyth sits three shots off the pace heading into the weekend action at the Madeira Islands Open over the Porto Santo course.

The Paisley pro, who won the Madeira crown in 2008, posted a three-under 69 for a four-under 140 to finish in a share of fifth behind Yorkshire-born Irishman Simon Thornton, who leads on 137 after a 66.

Forsyth, fresh from a fourth place in last week's Iberdrola Open in Mallorca, kept up his good form with early birdies at ten and 15 after starting on the 10th.

The two-time tour winner, 35, made further gains at the second and the fifth and, despite back-to-back bogeys at six and seven, Forsyth notched a birdie on eight to keep himself in the title hunt.

Lloyd Saltman, who birdied two of his last three holes in round one to jump into second, made another late burst and picked up shots on his 17th and 18th to salvage a one-over 73. Saltman, 25, finished in eighth spot on a three-under 141.

George Murray (69) and Chris Doak (72) both sit on the 145 mark, but Scott Drummond, who will head to Wentworth next week as a former PGA champion, slipped to a 77 and missed the cut on a 152. Marc Warren also made an early exit on 152 after a 75 while Callum Macaulay, runner-up in the 2009 Madeira Islands Open, struggled to a 78 and departed on 157.

Thornton is one shot clear of Frenchman Francois Delemontagne. He carded five birdies and an eagle in an impressive round, while England's Chris Gane, who had led after the first day, went round in level par and remains on five under - two shots off the pace in fourth.

Aside from Thornton, Denmark's Andreas Harto was the biggest mover, going round five shots under the par score to finish the day in fifth place, with England's Jamie Elson sandwiched in between in third.

Three bogeys on the day prevented Elsom from being in the lead himself, as he made seven birdies in a frustratingly inconsistent round.