SHOKAT Ali was celebrating his first ever last 16 appearance in a world ranking event at Hereford Leisure Centre today.

The Accrington snooker player defeated world No 15 and former Irish Masters champion Darren Morgan 5-2 in the German Open.

When the event is played to a finish at Bingen, near Frankfurt, in December Ali will face either world champion Ken Doherty or Northern Ireland's Billy Snaddon.

The 27-year-old Ali, previously beaten three times in the last 32, is now guaranteed at least £3,700 in prize money.

"This is a great start to the season but playing at this sort of venue does help to bring the best out of me," said Ali who stands at No 59 in the world rankings.

"I only hope I can keep this going." Despite losing the first frame which Morgan polished off with a break of 63, Ali went on to win the next three, the second on the black, the third with a break of 75 and the fourth when he completed a clearance of 49.

Morgan reduced Ali's lead to a single frame by winning the fifth, but breaks of 52 followed by a 54 and 30 sealed his place in the overseas stages.

"I started off nervously and should have lost the first two frames," added Ali.

"I think clearing up the last five colours in frame two was the turning point. I hardly missed anything afterwards.

"Perhaps that's because I'm taking the game more seriously. I'm also a more mature player.

"It's very pleasing to win first time here. Now I have a few days off to prepare for the next match. It wasn't brilliant snooker, we both missed chances and failed to kill off frames. But at least I'm through and that's what counts."

Ian McCulloch, based in Preston but coached in Accrington, failed to duplicate Ali's feat.

He was beaten 5-3 by Anthony Hamilton, who enjoyed a terrific run in the world championship at Sheffield earlier this year.

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