MADISON, Miss.  -- John Huston made three straight birdies on the back nine and shot a 4-under 68 Saturday to retain a two-stroke lead after the third round of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

Huston, looking for his first victory in three years, had a four-stroke lead after birdies on 12, 13 and 14.

But he dropped a stroke on No. 17 and managed only a par on the par-5 18th after the other contenders posted red numbers.

Huston is now 16-under after three rounds. Paul Stankowski (66), Hidemichi Tanaka (68)and rookie Chris Anderson (67) all cut into Huston's lead on the 18th hole and finished tied for second at 202.

Stankowski and Anderson both birdied the 18th to go 14-under.

Tanaka, who began the day two strokes back in second, did them one better, chipping in for eagle from the fairway. After his ball rolled in, the crowd roared and Tanaka turned to the gallery and raised his arm with a No. 1 sign.

Defending champion Luke Donald (67) also finished with a birdie and was alone in fifth three strokes back.

Huston did some quality work out of the sand on the front nine.

He got up and down on No. 2 and No. 5 -- the first to save par and the second for birdie to go 13-under.

He ended up in the sand again on No. 7, but the results weren't as good. He got too much air underneath his chip shot and left himself with a 15-footer for birdie.

After taking a whack at his bag with his wedge, Huston composed himself and sank the putt to go 14-under.

Huston took control on the back nine. He ripped off three straight birdies with some of his best shots of the tournament.

On the par-3 12th hole, he hit an 8-iron 4 feet from the pin.

He nearly holed his second shot on No. 13 from 112 yards out before tapping in.

He capped his birdie trifecta by sinking an 18-footer on the par-4 No. 14 to go to 17-under.

Anderson, who began the day three back of Huston, briefly grabbed a share of the lead. He birdied five of the first seven holes to get to 14-under, before his putter betrayed him on the par-3 No. 8.

He missed a 7-footer for par, then missed again coming back from about 5 feet for a double bogey.

But his strong finish puts him in contention for his first victory.

Tanaka is also looking for his first win in his second year on the PGA Tour.

Stankowski, who has been battling a wrist injury the past year, last won in 1997.

Huston, 42, has six career wins. He could become the 11th over-40 player to win on Tour this year.