John Parrott, winner of the European Open in Valletta ten years ago, qualified for this season’s Malta Cup with a 5-3 defeat of Gary Wilkinson at Prestatyn.

The 1991 world champion triumphed 5-3 to set up a last 32 meeting with last year’s runner-up Graeme Dott at the Hilton Conference Centre in Portomaso in the New Year.

Parrott, aged 41, came from 3-2 down against Nottingham’s Wilkinson to win the last three frames with a top break of 51.

Gifted young Ulsterman Mark Allen maintained his brilliant start to the season with a 5-2 defeat of David Gray. Allen, whose top break was 56, is now through to his fourth major venue of the season and the 19-year-old faces an intriguing match against world champion Shaun Murphy in Malta.

Australian hot-potter Neil Robertson came through a gruelling battle against Dave Harold, which was pulled off at 4-4 at the end of the morning session at Pontin’s.

The left-hander came from 4-1 down and took the 51-minute decider 71-44. He will play defending champion Stephen Hendry.

Belfast’s Joe Swail was hauled back from 4-1 to 4-4 by Michael Holt but eventually prevailed 5-4.

Hong Kong’s Marco Fu came from 2-0 down to beat Mark Davis 5-4 with a best effort of 70.

James Wattana of Thailand also lost the first two frames, against Michael Judge, but stormed back to win 5-2, knocking in an even 100 in the last frame.

Spaceman Dominic Dale recorded an impressive 5-1 defeat of Ricky Walden with a top run of 77.