Malta's Tony Drago lost his second consecutive match yesterday in the tournament going down 4-2 to Stephen Maguire of Scotland.

But it was obvious that he was an improved player over the first day when he was routed 6-0 by Shaun Murphy.

Yesterday it was a missed pink in the third frame that sent him crashing to his second defeat in two days. He was on a good run of 26 needing the pink and black to clinch the frame, but missed the pink miserably and Maguire quickly took his chance to go 3-0 ahead instead of Drago reducing the gap to just one frame.

Drago fought back to win the next frame, heaving a big sigh of relief at winning his first frame here. But Maguire won the fifth with a run of 72 - his best yesterday - to take a 4-1 lead and assure himself of both points. The local hero then went on to win the last frame for a 4-2 final scoreline. Drago also had good runs of 57 and 54 in the fourth and fifth frames.

His Grace the Archbishop, Mgr. Paul Cremona was among the crowd that watched the match at the Portomaso Conference Centre.

Later in the evening Alex Borg also suffered his second defeat in two days as he was gunned down by Allister Carter 5-1.

Borg had the consolation of winning his first frame of the tournament after having been beaten 6-0 by John Higgins the previous day.

In another match, Shaun Murphy also collected his second win of the tournament with a 4-2 win over Mark Selby.

Despite his four points Murphy is leaving nothing to chance and is aware that frame difference might be a factor. "I played well and enjoyed the match, to get to four was pleasing but it was just a shame I couldn't make it five as frame difference is so important," said Murphy.

Selby made a 76 en route to taking the last frame but is facing an uphill task to progress from Group 3.

Ken Doherty was another player to collect win number two after coming back from the brink to triumph 4-2 against Stephen Lee.

The Dubliner has four points from his two games but the manner of his win was more pleasing, "I thought he was going to make it 3-3 but he missed the blue: it was good to get a win although I thought he played well," said Doherty.

Results:

Group 2: Ken Doherty-Stephen Lee 2-4; Joe Swail-Marco Fu 1-5

Group 3: Stephen Maguire-Tony Drago 4-2; Shaun Murphy-Mark Selby 5-1

Group 4: Graeme Dott-Ding Junhui 4-2; Mark Williams-Dominic Dale 2-4

Group 1: John Higgins-Ryan Day 4-2; Allister Carter-Alex Borg 5-1

Today's programme

12.00 Group 3: Stephen Hendry-Tony Drago; Shaun Murphy-Stephen Maguire

2pm Group 4: Graeme Dott-Mark Williams; Peter Ebdon-Dominic Dale

6pm Group 1: Joe Perry-Alex Borg; John Higgins-Alister Carter

8pm Group 2: Ken Doherty-Joe Swail; Neil Robertson-Marco Fu