STOKE potter Dave Harold bowed out of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix despite a brave fight yesterday.

The world number 28 was beaten 5-4 by Ali Carter, last season's World Championship runner-up, at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.

But the Trent Vale professional went close to pocketing a maximum 147 break at the BBC-televised event.

Having potted 13 reds and 13 blacks, Harold missed a pot on a red ball to a middle pocket – and with it the chance of winning £24,000 additional prize-money for the highest break prize.

"It was a great match, it was a good one to be involved in," reflected Harold, who compiled breaks of 95, 104 and 89.

"You won't really get better chances than that (at the 147). I played the black too solid and left myself another tough red to screw back for the black again.

"It was disappointing not to get the 147, but it was nice to give the tournament something."

Harold found himself 3-1 down to his Essex opponent, who is ranked seventh in the world, but battled back to force a decider.

However, Carter held his nerve to win the ninth and final frame to progress to the next phase.

"Ali played really well," added Harold. "He's class act. You've got to keep battling on.

"Anything can happen in this game and I only needed one or two snookers to win the last frame, but it wasn't to be. It could have been a different story."

Carter, who had match breaks of 44, 42 and 61, reflected: "It was a very tough match. Dave played really well and made three breaks over 90.

"He's very good at stopping you playing tight safeties and I could only remember him missing one ball, which was the black in the last frame.

"I'm through to the next round, so I can enjoy being here and I can look forward to my next match."

Meanwhile, world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan hit back from two frames down to beat Chinese cueman Liang Wenbo 5-2. O'Sullivan managed a top break of 103, while Wenbo's best effort was just 31.

Longton potter Jamie Cope was picked to face former world champion Peter Ebdon in yesterday's second-round draw. The match will be played tomorrow.

TV: BBC2, 1.30pm, 7pm.