The Dubai-based Bain posted eight birdies while Noh continued to impress at the 300,000-dollar (S$415,470) event after a bogey-free 68 in the third round.

Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang, with two wins on the Asian Tour, remained in the hunt in third place after posting back-to-back 68s while second round leader Sattaya Supupramai slipped to fourth spot after a 71 at the Pattana Golf and Sports Resort.

Noh, 16, who finished runner-up at the Sail Open in India last month, kept his composure, firing three birdies before nailing a final birdie on the 18th hole to remain as the joint leader.

'I knew I was trailing Ross by a stroke and needed a birdie at the last hole. It was all right as I was really calm and relaxed. I feel good with the end result but slightly disappointed with my putting today,' said Noh, who was the 2005 Korean amateur number one.

The teenager has a proven track record, having recorded two top-10s in 2006 and is making headway towards a maiden triumph this week.

'I am not worried about the other players. I even had a chat with my playing partner Ross on the course. He is a very nice guy,' said Noh.

The 32-year-old Bain, who posted a top-10 finish at the Sail Open, had to return to the course in the early morning to complete the remaining five holes of his second round.

Having birdied four of the remaining five holes, Bain ended the second round with a course record 62. He then continued his rampaging run in the third round, firing a 67.

'I played well and it's really satisfying as I can see some good scoring.

On the back nine, I had some slack shots and got penalised. But I made the birdies and I'm tied for the lead now,' he said.

Taiwan's Lin, who won the 2006 Taiwan Open followed by the 2007 Brunei Open, hopes to make it three titles in three years and will be gunning to close the two-stroke gap heading into the final round.

Local young gun Sattaya endured a nervy round as he dropped to lone fourth place after firing two birdies against a lone dropped shot. -- AFP