Italian Francesco Molinari started Friday's second round of the Scottish Open poorly, but improved as the round continued to retain a share of the lead at the halfway stage.

He fired a 10-under par 62 on Thursday, but carded a seven at the 464-yard par four seventh to go into the back nine on 36 for the round.

Molinari then made birdies on 14 and 16 to complete an error-free back nine to finish on a 70, two-under for the round and tied with Sweden's Alexander Noren.

Noren fired his second successive 66 a day after his 30th birthday and the day after his girlfriend on a tournament in Norway.

Big-hitting Argentinean Ricardo Gonzalez is joint third with Italian Matteo Manassero, while world number one Luke Donald is three shots back after a second round 68.

Manassero, twice a winner on the European Tour already, is in the hunt for another victory and a place in the Open after carding a 64 on Friday.

"The Open is on my mind and this is my last chance," said the 19-year-old Manassero after his round.

The teen from Verona needs a top five finish to qualify for Royal Lytham next week.