Gunnell's choked after missing out

Shropshire will stage snooker's UK Championships next week without any home representation after Adrian Gunnell failed in his quest to reach the final stages.

The Telford cueman will not be amongst the star-studded field at the International Centre after going down 9-7 to six-times world champion Steve Davis in final qualifying at Sheffield last night.

Gunnell had his chances to defeat one of the sport's legends after fighting back from a 5-3 deficit at the end of the morning session to lead 7-5.

But Davis then also reeled off four consecutive frames to cross the finishing line and set up a meeting with Ding Junhui in the Telford showpiece.

"After the match was as low as I had felt for a long time because it was a game I shouldn't have lost," said Gunnell.

"It's all to do with concentration and I've got to sort it out because it's not good enough.

'Couldn't wait'

"When I wake up feeling flat there is just no concentration there at all - and that's what happened for a lot of yesterday.

"I played really solid snooker to win the four frames at the start of the night session and that's because I couldn't wait to get to the table and the adrenaline was pumping. That's when I am at my best.

"But then we had a 10-minute interval and it changed everything. I felt flat and I was just giving him frames without him having to do anything. I don't know why I go like that but it's something I need to get to the bottom of because it leaves me playing at about 30 per cent.

"When I'm at my best I'm a match for anyone but when I'm at my worst, I'm not a match for my mum at the moment."

The 36-year-old Gunnell admits it will be tough to watch snooker's second biggest tournament unfold on his doorstep and not being involved.

"At 3-2 down I was using playing at Telford as the motivation to get me going," he added. "It's a real choker and next week will be torture for me."