John Parrott's Northern Ireland trophy run lasted just one game as he was beaten by Mark King in the first round.
Parrott and Stevens both dumped out of Northern Ireland Trophy first round.
John Parrott's Northern Ireland trophy run lasted just one game as he was beaten by Mark King in the first round, as was Matthew Stevens who also went down 5-4 against Martin Gould.
Welshman Stevens is looking for a place back in the world's top 16 after dropping out last season, but his chances were not helped by a first round exit in Belfast.
Stevens had a tough battle against two-time English amateur champion Gould before the 26-year-old from Middlesex came out on top in a tight 5-4 encounter.
Gould, provisionally ranked way down at number 83 in the world, can now look forward to a second round clash with seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry.
Veteran John Parrott had to scrap hard to get into the main tournament at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast after battling through the qualifying in Prestatyn.
Parrott's efforts only managed to get him one game in Belfast though as he was beaten 5-4 by Mark King in the opening round.
King eventually fought his way into the second round after a lengthy nine-frame battle with Parrott, and he now faces Ken Doherty in the second round.
Tom Ford enjoyed a big win over Michael Holt in their first round match, with a commanding 5-1 success handing Ford the prize tie against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the second round.
Fergal O'Brien joined Mark Allen and Joe Swail to make it three Irish winners from the first round draw, as he cruised past Dave Harold 5-1.
O'Brien will now come up against Crucible world champion John Higgins in the second round in Belfast.
Michael Judge could not make it four Irishman through though, and he suffered a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Anthony Hamilton - who now plays Shaun Murphy.
