Eddie Pepperell birdied the 17th and 18th holes to give him hope of making the cut in the Dubai Desert Classic.

The prospects of making the final two rounds looked bleak with the Abingdon golfer on two-over after 16.

But a brace of birdies saw Pepperell finish with a level-par 72.

And although he remains well down the field, does at least now have much better prospects of making the cut. 

The Frilford Heath member got off to a bad start with a bogey at the first.

Although he birdied the par-four fifth, further dropped shots at the sixth and eighth saw him reach the turn two over.

Pepperell pulled a shot back at the 14th, but immediately undid his good work with a bogey at the next hole.

However, he boosted his chances of making the cut with birdies at the 17th and 18th, but knows he must deliver tomorrow.