Veteran Jimmy White threw away a 2-0 lead over Barry Hawkins to slip to a 5-3 defeat in the first round of the Northern Ireland Trophy.
Hawkins books place in second round
Veteran Jimmy White threw away a 2-0 lead over Barry Hawkins to slip to a 5-3 defeat in the first round of the Northern Ireland Trophy.
The six-time world finalist's best days are behind him and at 65th in the rankings is struggling to stay on the professional circuit.
But he began brightly against the man from Dartford, winning the second frame with run of 53, although the world number 27 was soon on level terms by the interval with breaks of 63 and 50.
Hawkins took the next two as well - frame six courtesy of an 83 break - and although White hit back with a 53 of his own, the younger man held his nerve to progress.
"It's disappointing not to perform," admitted White. "It was very scrappy, we both never really got scoring. My safety game was really poor and I kept leaving him with easy balls. It got a bit frustrating in the end.
"I just love playing, but it does get frustrating when you're playing well and you don't produce it on the match table.
"Your safety is a huge part of your game, if you don't get that going then you'll find it hard to score."
Hawkins had words of encouragement for his opponent, adding: "He's obviously hitting the ball better than he has done for a couple of years and I think he can get back up the rankings.
"I took time to settle today but having got a win and a bit of confidence, hopefully I'll feel more relaxed in my next match.
"My big target for the season is to get back into the top 16 and I start 18th provisionally so that is realistic."
Local hero Joe Swail disappointingly fell by the wayside, losing 5-4 to Mark Davis, while Mark Pettman saw off Nigel Bond 5-1.
