Stephen Dodd and Miguel Angel Jiménez set the clubhouse target at seven under par during the second round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Spanish Ryder Cup star Jiménez went round in 67 to Dodd’s 69 as they took a one shot lead over defending champion Rory McIlroy midway through the second morning at an overcast Emirates Golf Club.

McIlroy picked up back-to-back birdies to reach the turn in two under par and progress to six under overall, but his good work was undone with a double bogey on his final hole.

World Number Nine McIlroy carded a four under par 68 opening round yesterday to earn his place in a six-way tie for the overnight lead.

Spaniard Jiménez, who sacked his caddie ahead of this week after missing the cut in Abu Dhabi and finishing outside the top 60 in Qatar, stormed up the leaderboard with four consecutive birdies before recovering from a first dropped shot to reach the turn in four under par.

He picked up another shot on the way in for the best round so far this week.

Big hitter Alvaro Quiros joined McIlroy in the clubhouse on six under, while out on the course Edoardo Molinari and Marcus Fraser were on the same score, one ahead of new father Jeev Milkha Singh.