Former World Champion Ken Doherty crashed out of the British Open tonight after losing 5-4 to Scotland's Chris Small.
The Dubliner led the second round contest 3-1 and 4-3 but faltered in the closing frames to allow his opponent in for victory.
Doherty, who has now lost his first three matches of the season, said: "I had chances to win but it was a very long, hard match."
"It's a tough time but I'll keep battling on," he added.
Peter Ebdon is through to the last 16 after defeating Tony Drago 5-3 while Matthew Stevens also goes through on the back of his 5-2 defeat of Marco Fu.
