Britons James Morrison & Mark Foster lead French Open

Morrison ended his round badly but still has a good chance of victory

British pair James Morrison and Mark Foster share the lead at the French Open in Paris after three rounds.

Morrison led overnight on 10 under and was on course to retain his advantage but dropped three shots in the last two holes for a one-over-par 72.

That allowed Foster to join him on nine under following the 35-year-old's third successive round of 68.

They lead by a shot from Scotland's Richie Ramsay, while world number four Martin Kaymer lies joint fourth.

Kaymer, the winner two years ago, fired a 67, which was matched by France's Thomas Levet - the pair are three shots off the leaders.

Morrison, 26, stormed clear of the field when he birdied four of the six holes before the 17th, but he lost form from there following a three-putt for a six.

Off another perfect drive down the 470-yard last, he then pulled his approach into a bunker and failed to get up and down.

He had earlier gone into the lake for a double-bogey five on the par-three second.

Germany's Kaymer had an eagle on the 14th but it was home favourite Levet who made the biggest move before he became another victim of the 18th.

The former Ryder Cup player and 2002 Open runner-up was six under for the day but then pulled his drive into the water and ran up a double bogey six.

"I felt like I was in the Ryder Cup - it was so noisy," said the 42-year-old, who has been mentioned as a possible captain of Europe when the venue hosts the 2018 match.

"Imagine if you multiply the numbers by six or seven - it's going to be nuts. Days like today keep me competing. You make putts, you make people happy."

Kaymer said: "My short game was very good and the eagle kept me going - it's put me in a good position.

"Last year I had a chance and made double bogeys on 15 and 18. Hopefully it will be different tomorrow."

Colin Montgomerie managed only a 74 to fall back to two over and now looks unlikely to claim the top-five finish he needs to earn the Open spot on offer. He is in 36th place.