DAVID Howell remained in touch with the Omega European Masters leaders in Switzerland this morning - but could have been even closer.

A last-hole bogey at the ninth - his 18th - saw the Broome Manor man sign for a two-under-par 68 at Crans-sur-Sierre GC, slightly spoiling what had looked like a grandstand finish for the two-time Ryder Cup star.

Howell, whose three-under 67 on day one on Thursday had put him in contention, started the second round in superb fashion, with birdies at the 10th and 11th - his first two holes - before bogeying the 13th.

The 41-year-old, who was tied third at the Czech Masters in his last outing last month, was back among the red numbers on the 18th before bogeys at the third and fourth returned him to level par for the day.

However, a run of three birdies in four holes from the fifth got the round back on the right track and shunted him back up the leaderboard before his last-hole blemish.

France's Romain Langasque added a flawless 63 to his opening 68 to finish nine under par and a shot ahead of Sweden's Alex Noren, who also returned an error-free 63, to set the early clubhouse target on day two.