A GRITTY fightback left Pickering potter Paul Davison just one match away from the final stages of snooker’s Welsh Open, writes Steve Carroll.

The North Yorkshire professional was 2-0 behind in his best-of-seven frames first round qualifying encounter with Michael White at the World Snooker Academy, in Sheffield, but reeled off four frames in succession to book a second round clash with Robert Milkins.

White, the world number 41, is considered one of the game’s up and coming players and after taking the first, when a difficult red with the long rest close to the side cushion wobbled in the jaws for Davison, the Neath potter then produced a century break to double his advantage.

But a break of 53 in the third laid the foundations for the comeback and Davison, currently 75th in the rankings, levelled the match with a break of 67 marked by a series of excellent pots.

An effort of 42 and a 36 clearance gave the 41-year-old the lead for the first time following the fifth frame and a superb 67, marked by a magnificent long pot into a corner pocket, gave Davison the victory.

He will play Milkins this evening with the victor going on to the Newport Centre for the main event next week.