Selby edges Drago 5-4

Tony Drago's bid to secure useful ranking points from the opening tournament of the season came to a halt yesterday after a close 5-4 defeat to Mark Selby at the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.

Selby got the better of a nervy tussle to progress to the last 32 and a match with Allister Carter. Drago, looking to climb back into the top 32, won two qualifiers last month to book his place at the Waterfront Hall.

In a match that lasted two hours and 40 minutes, Selby was always one frame in the lead, Drago hitting back each time to cancel his disadvantage until the deciding ninth frame.

With the score 3-3, Drago missed a pink that cost him dearly as he lost the frame 66-56. He made up for that by winning frame no.8 with a break of 64. However, Selby kept better hold of his nerves to secure a place in the next round after a 67-25 win in the ninth frame.