Gareth Maybin seven off Spanish Open pace after second-round 71

Ballyclare man Gareth Maybin has made the cut at the Spanish Open in Valencia after firing a steady second-round 71.

Maybin's round, which included two birdies and one dropped shot, left him on one over and seven off the pace.

However, Michael Hoey will miss the cut after a 76 left him on seven over - five shots outside the required mark.

Reeve Whitson, after his opening 81, improved to post a 77 on day two but his score of 14 over saw him miss the cut at El Saler.

Whitson, from the Mourne club in Newcastle, County Down, had earned a place in the event by winning the Spanish Amateur Championship in March.

The Walker Cup contender's opening round had included a triple bogey and seven bogeys but he managed two birdies over his opening nine holes on Friday.

Hoey's disappointing 2013 form continued as he carded six bogeys in his round on Friday.

Shane Lowry regrouped splendidly from his opening 78 to card a seven-birdie 66 on Friday which moved him to a share of 30th place on level par.

David Higgins was also on level par after a 75 as he lost ground after his opening-round heroics which had left him only a shot off the pace.

Former Spanish Open champion Peter Lawrie dropped back to one over after a 74 but was also safe for the weekend.

However, Damien McGrane's three-over-par total was one shot too many after a second-round 72.

Peter Uihlein leads on six under, with Felipe Aguilar, Raphael Jacquelin and Rikard Karlberg tied for second on five under.