Davis battles through

Davis trailed 3-1 after the first session

Six-time world champion Steve Davis has reached the second round at the LG Cup by beating Patrick Wallace 5-3 on Sunday.

The 44-year-old had to come from behind to beat the Northern Irish player and claim his place in the last 32 at the Preston Guild Hall event.

Wallace, a surprise quarter-finalist at the Embassy World Championship earlier this year, had breaks of 93, 71 and 98 to lead 3-1 lead at the mid-session interval.

He looked set to increase that lead but missed a straightforward green to let Davis pinch the fifth frame.

Davis then took the next frame on the black with an impressive 57 clearance.

Breaks of 63 and 66 sealed victory for the Englishman, who now faces 1998 Grand Prix winner Stephen Lee.

Rory McLeod found the going tough in the opening round, crashing out 5-0 to former Grand Prix champion Dominic Dale.

Gutted

The 30-year-old had negotiated four qualifying matches to secure a spot in the second world ranking event of the season.

Asked if he had enjoyed his debut in front of the cameras, he said: "I didn't enjoy it at all because of the scoreline.

"I'm gutted because I know I can play a lot better than that."

Dale's experience told against Macleod

"I didn't feel under as much pressure as I thought I might, but it was the table that did me.

"I lost the cue-ball a few times and the conditions caught me off guard. I just wasn't prepared for the cloth being that fast."

McLeod, whose parents are Jamaican, agreed that he is a standard bearer for black players trying to make a mark in a predominantly white sport.

"There's another couple of lads on the Challenge Tour called Jason Greaves and Mark Abrahams.

"Obviously I'd like to see them do well, but I've got to be selfish and try not to think about anything other than my own game."

Dale, who now meets Alan McManus in the last 32, said: "Rory's come through from the first qualifying round so he's obviously a capable player.

"I didn't know how he would settle down on television so I was quite nervous myself. I'm just pleased to get it out of the way."

Also through to the second round is Alfie Burden, who beat Malta's Tony Drago 5-4.