Scotland’s Jamie Burnett yesterday eliminated Maltese ace Tony Drago in the UK Championship qualifiers third round best of 11 match.

Burnett took a 4-0 first session lead but Drago hit back superbly on the return to the table winning the first three frames to get back in contention.

But Burnett took the eight frame after Drago failed on the blue handing an easy win to his opponent. The Scot went on to win the ninth for a 6-3 victory.

Drago had started with an impressive 6-3 win over Andrew Norman in a round two match on Monday night.

The Valletta-born cueist had a good start taking a 2-1 lead, only for Norman to hit back and level matters at two-all before the break.

In the second session, Drago won three frames in succession to take a commanding 5-2 lead, and although Norman won the eighth frame, it was Drago who kept his cool to seal the match on the ninth frame.