MATT BLACKEY got a late reprieve in the Portuguese Open after looking like he'd blown his chances of making the cut.
The Southampton-based golfer bogeyed two of his last three holes to finish two over for 36 holes - and halfway through the day it was one shot away from the cut mark.
But later on it moved to two over as the scores went up in the blustery conditions, and Blackey, who made the top 50 in last week's Indonesian Open, looked set for another pay cheque.
Blackey's neighbour, the Stoneham tournament professional Richard Bland, was already assured of contesting the last two rounds after coming in with a 71 for a halfway total of one over.
A birdie at the last sealed it for Bland, who like Blackey, mixed five birdies with five bogeys. Leading the way at Quinta La Marinha was Paul Broadhurst at eight under, with Barry Lane one behind.
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