French golfer Gwladys Nocera moved into the outright lead following a dramatic third day at the Ladies Slovak Open.

The 10-time Ladies European Tour winner finished at seven-under-par having carded a 71 on the Gray Bear course at Golf Resort Tale.

She will start the fourth round two strokes clear of South African Lee-Anne Pace, the recent Turkish Ladies Open champion, who shot a 70, with a tightly packed leader board showing 17 players under par.

First-round co-leader Nikki Campbell made up for her horror second round of 78 to post 69 to sit five off the pace in a share of sixth place in a group including fellow Australian Whitney Hillier (69).

Having started Saturday tied with the defending champion Line Vedel, Nocera grabbed the outright lead on the first hole after the Dane retired with a back injury.

The 24-year-old Vedel hit her first two shots before crippling pain got the best of her and she drove home devastated.

The 38-year-old Nocera then ended up playing the last group in a two-ball with Swedish rookie Camilla Lennarth.

“I found it really difficult to get into the round today with Line leaving … we were only two players and I couldn’t find my rhythm.

“I felt really bad for her, I hope she is better and going to get some good treatment.”

Nocera is chasing her first win in five years following the 2008 Madrid Ladies Masters.