David Howell shares lead with James Morrison

David Howell moved into a tie for the lead of the Open de Espana with James Morrison after a third-round 69 in Terrassa.

The two Englishmen both shot low scores on a tough day that saw overnight leader Edouard Espana fall out of contention as he struggled in the windy conditions.

Morrison and Howell will start the final round tied on seven-under par, two shots clear of Francesco Molinari, who would have made it a three-way tie had he not double-bogeyed 17.

It was not just the Italian who rued dropped shots though, with both co-leaders carding a number of bogeys as the chance to lead outright slipped through their fingers.

Molinari sits on his own in third, one shot clear of Emiliano Grillo and Darren Fichardt, while Espana is on three under after a nightmare 76 - his birdie at two the only highlight.

The Frenchman is one ahead of a group of six players, including a resurgent Sergio Garcia, who thrilled his home crowd with a five-under par round of 67.

Having just made the cut on Friday, the Spaniard had fewer problems on day three as he picked up three shots on the front nine with another four coming on the way home, but back-to-back bogeys on 12 and 13 meant he remains five shots off the lead.

"I obviously needed a great round today, and it would have been if I hadn't made those two bogeys on 12 and 13," he said after rising 47 places on the leaderboard.

"But to be able to birdie 14 and 15 with two very nice shots and good putts got me back on track.

"If the leaders don't go much lower than what they are, with another great round tomorrow I have a chance. If it doesn't rain the course is not going to play any easier."