SEBASTIEN Ogier will take a slender overnight lead into the final day of the Wales Rally GB following a thrilling day in Mid Wales.

The world famous stages at Myherin, Sweet Lamb, Hafren, Dyfi and Gartheiniog echoed to the sound of engines as the eyes of the world descended on the region for the penultimate European round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The M-Sport Ford driver capitalised on leader Ott Tanak's retirement after being forced to retire in the afternoon loop having defended his first day lead during the morning stages.

The Estonian's Toyota radiator failed in Sweet Lamb Hafren with Ogier capitalising.

Jari-Matti Latvala led the challenge and cut Ogier's lead from 5.5 seconds to 2.9 seconds during the 19km Dyfi test before his own Toyota stalled on the downhill hairpin of the Gartheiniog stage with the French star increasing his lead to 4.4 seconds.

Ogier takes the lead back to North Wales for the final day on Sunday with just 13.5 seconds separating the top four drivers with Esapekka Lappi third and Irishman Breen ending the day in fourth spot having rivalled Andreas Mikkelson's impressive charge up the order with two stage fastest times.

Mikkelson ended sixth, just behind Citroen's Mads Ostberg with Hyundai team-mate Hayden Paddon seventh and Thierry Neuville eighth after struggling to recover from an early ditch in his Hyundai during the morning run.

Mid Wales' Elfyn Evans recovered from his opening misfire which saw him go from second to out of contention with a ninth place finish in his M-Sport Ford.