Malta’s snooker player Tony Drago swept into round three of the Pukka Pies UK Championship qualifiers yesterday, with a quick fire 9-5 victory over Englishman Dave Gilbert

The 14 frames were completed in just over two and half hours. Drago had led 5-3 after the first session and did not waste much time in collecting the four frames he required.

Gilbert won the first frame and was ahead in the tenth but allowed Drago to come back and steal the frame for a 6-4 lead. Twelve minutes later and breaks of 69 and 61 had given the Maltese player an 8-4 advantage.

Gilbert did pull another frame back with a rapid 128 break but victory was sealed in the next, to send Drago through. He will next face a tough challenge from Sussex-born Mark Davis, whom Drago has never beaten so far.