Barnes is in second spot in the standings – but Murray moved into pole position for the overall title when he won the second of four events in the series at Fairhaven with a four-under-par 68.

The European Senior Tour player, who represents Tarporley resort Portal and who tied fourth in the Benahavis Masters in Marbella last month, rolled in five birdies to prevail by a shot from Scott Astin, the former Royal Lytham and St Annes assistant professional.

And not for the first time Murray, joint-second in the first fixture, was looking in his rear view mirror at his teenage son Tom, an assistant at Didsbury, who finished four shots behind him.

Meanwhile, Astin, who is now pro at Hesketh, surprised himself with his performance after plotting his way round the course with a half set of clubs.

"I lessened the load because I was tired after playing five-a-side football the previous night," he said. "I putted well," he added.

Third place at Fairhaven went to Garforth's Danny Walsh, his 71 lifting him into eighth spot in the merit table.

Next up is the third of six pro-ams in the Mansell Finishes Series which has attracted 54 teams to Ormskirk tomorrow.

LEADING SCORES (Par 72): 68 Andrew Murray (Portal); 69 Scott Astin (Hesketh); 70 Danny Walsh (Garforth); 71 Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall), Adam Powell (Hartford); 72 Matthew Tottey North Wales), Tom Murray (Didsbury); 73 Chris Crowder (Lee Park), David Shacklady (Mossock Hall), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford).

ORDER OF MERIT LEADERS: 662pts Andrew Murray (Portal); 400 Will Barnes (Garstang); 300 Scott Astin (Hesketh); 292 Adam Powell (Hartford); 262 Adrian Ambler (Walton Golf Centre); 252 Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall); 228 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall); 224 Danny Walsh (Garforth); 200 Matthew Tottey (North Wales); 200 Tom Murray (Didsbury).