Gunnell battles back

Thursday 29th November 2007, 11:40AM GMT.

Shropshire’s Adrian Gunnell was today battling to keep his dream of qualifying for Telford’s Maplin UK Championship alive.

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Gunnell trailed two-times World finalist Matthew Stevens 5-3, with the first player to nine frames claiming a place in the final stages in Telford early next month.

Two half century contributions saw the Welshman take the opening two frames before Gunnell hit back with a break of 116 in the third.

The next two frames were shared before a run of 52 helped Stevens into a 4-2 lead when Gunnell had looked well placed to level.

A 133 total clearance saw Stevens stretch his lead, but crucially Gunnell held his nerve in a tense eighth frame to remain in touch going into the evening session at Prestatyn.