Ireland's Rory McIlroy is just two strokes adrift of Lloyd Saltman entering this afternoon's final round of the Lytham Trophy.

The 18-year-old from Holywood carded a two-over par 73 in Sunday morning's third round to fall back to five under par at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

But it was also a difficult morning for Scotland's Saltman, who posted a three-over par 74 to see his three-stroke overnight lead reduced to just two shots.

Walker Cup veteran Nigel Ewards of Wales closed the gap on Saltman to five shots with a level par 71 and is tied for third place with England's Ben Park, who shot a 72.

Lytham Trophy, after 54 holes
206 Lloyd Saltman 65 67 74
208 Rory McIlroy 67 68 73
211 Nigel Edwards 69 71 71, Ben Parker 70 69 72 .