York-based professional golfer Simon Dyson scraped through the cut at the British Masters at The Belfry after carding a one-over par 73 on the second day.

The Malton and Norton star dropped two early shots on the second round on the second and par five third but reduced the deficit with a second birdie in as many days at the 11th to duck under the cut.

Englishman Paul Casey was the clear leader at the half-way stage some three shots clear of Darren Clarke on an 11-under pedestal.

Casey was the winner of the Benson and Hedges International by four shots the last time the circuit came to town three years ago, and he leads again as the Quinn Direct British Masters heads into the third round.

Behind Clarke, a gaggle of players are jostling for third place on seven under.

Scotsman Colin Montgomerie was consigned to an early exit after falling to a double bogey on the ninth in a round where the three other bogeys were too much for his two birdies to claw back.

Updated: 10:41 Saturday, May 13, 2006