Gunnell One Step From Telford

Adrian Gunnell is one match away from appearing in the Pukka Pies UK Championship in his home town and a first round match against Ronnie O'Sullivan, after beating Atthasit Mahitthi 9-3 in the qualifiers at Prestatyn.

The Telford cueman led 7-1 after the first session but wasted no time in moving further ahead. He had to bide his time as the Thai player took the next two before he wrapped up victory in frame twelve.

"I played solid in the first session, nothing spectacular just efficient, tonight I was no good. I usually struggle in the first session but there were a couple of big frames. I went 2-1 up and started to feel good.

"Then I needed a snooker on the blue and I put him in a really good one. I thought if he hit there was a chance of the in off, which happened and I potted blue to black for 3-1," said Gunnell.

The 37-year-old took possession of a new cue five days before the start of the first qualifiers back in August and is re-discovering his confidence.

He faces Matthew Stevens in the final qualifying round on Monday, "Matthew's a great player, I can't believe he's here. I still view him as a top eight player so nothing short of my best will do. I beat him at this stage of this tournament two years ago. The incentive is there to win the match."

Tom Ford sealed a final qualifying round match with Barry Hawkins after dominating the final session of his match with Stuart Pettman, coming out on top 9-5.

The two had been tied after the morning session but Ford hit top form when they resumed, breaks of 54, 73, a contender for the high break prize of a 143, 102 and 64 to seal victory.

Mark Davis saw off the challenge of Tony Drago with a 9-7 victory. The Tornado has been in good form this week but he couldn't match the scoring of the player from Sussex who had runs of 58, 51, 71, 82 and an 80 to complete his win. Drago responded with breaks of 113 and 70 but didn't have
enough fire-power to overcome Davis.

Ken Doherty, a three time runner-up in this tournament is one step away from heading to the venue after beating Mark Joyce 9-6. The Irishman was not at his fluent best but he withstood the expected come back from Walsall's Joyce.

Joyce won three frames to close the gap to a single frame before Doherty won a crucial 41 minute frame to move two in front once more. Joyce closed the gap once more but a 69 took Doherty to the verge of victory which he confirmed in the next frame.

Michael White secured the best win of his young career, a 9-8 win over Jamie Burnett put him in the last 48 for the first time.

There was never more than a frame between them in the second session. Both players had chances in the deciding frame but it was the Neath potter who tok his chance and his win sets up a cracking final qualifying match against another player on the up, China's Liang Wenbo.

Andrew Higginson defeated Simon Bedford 9-6 to confirm his place in the final round and a match against Ricky Walden.

Anthony Hamilton won five frames on the spin this evening to beat Jimmy Robertson 9-4 with a top break of a 120.

Michael Judge won the bragging rights against friend Joe Delaney as the two players from the Republic of Ireland went head to head.

Judge led 5-3 and the turning point was frame twelve, after a break of 52 from Delaney Judge hit back with a 67 to go 7-5 in front and there was no stopping him. A 92 finished the job for a 9-5 win.