NORTH Yorkshire golf ace Simon Dyson gritted his teeth to stay in contention at the half-way stage of the Algarve Portuguese Open.

Dyson went into today's third round on two-over-par 146. While that was still ten shots behind midway leader Greg Owen, Dyson can take credit from the way he battled back to notch a second round level-par score of 72 on a day of moderate scoring at the wind-lashed Vale do Lobo course.

The 24-year-old Malton and Norton Golf Club star started his second round with a blitz, bagging birdies at the second, third and fifth holes. But that searing start was tempered by a dropped shot on four and then the entire round was tarnished somewhat by bogeys on the 13th and 14th holes.

But Dyson's level-par display, in which he improved from his first day 74, boded well for a challenge to the leaders.

Updated: 11:40 Saturday, April 19, 2003