Ireland's Damien McGrane takes a three stroke lead into the final round of the Volvo China Open after carding a four-under-par 68 in his third round.

The Meathman started the day a shot behind overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera but some impressive putting, particularly on the back nine, put him in a solid position to claim his maiden European Tour victory.

McGrane made a great start when he carded three successive birdies from the third but then sunk bogey putts on the next two holes.

He added two more birdies on the 10th and 11th and though he dropped a shot on the 16th he recovered to finish his round strongly with two birdies.

"I made the most of my opportunities again today," said McGrane. "I made a good finish with two birdies and that was the highlight of my day. I hung in there when I needed to and played some good shots.

Oliver Wilson put himself in contention with a two-under-par 70 and is three shots behind McGrane alongside Lorenzo-Vera. The 27-year-old from Mansfield carded a birdie on the par-four first before adding another on the third.

He dropped a shot on the next hole and then made two birdies against two bogeys coming home and is eight under for the tournament.

Lorenzo-Vera, meanwhile, was unable to take the clubhouse lead for the third successive day after his worst round of the week.

The Frenchman, who topped the Challenge Tour last season, recorded scores in the 60s in the last two rounds but could only manage a level-par 72 today.

Lorenzo-Vera bogeyed the par-four second and though he birded on the 12th and 13th he again carded another bogey on the par-four 14th.

Australian Scott Strange chalked up six birdies in an otherwise faultless round to card the best score of the day with a six-under-par 66 and is six under overall.

"It was a good round today," he said. "It is always nice to birdie the last but there were a few holes on the back nine which I was really lucky to pull off birdies."

Defending champion Markus Brier is four under overall after carding a level par 72 while Richard Finch, who had started the day with a share of second place, dropped down the leaderboard following a four over 76.

David Howell finished one under par after carding double bogeys on the 17th and 18th and is even par overall.