Basildon snooker professional Stuart Bingham saw his hopes of receiving a pre-World Championship boost ended in Aberdeen yesterday.

Bingham, based at Leigh's Executive Club, was playing in the main first round stages of the Regal Scottish Open in Aberdeen and crashed to a 5-2 defeat against fellow Englishman Joe Perry, who now goes on to take on Graham Dott.

Bingham had hoped for a good run north of the border before starting his challenge for the Embassy World title at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in two weeks time.

There he will come up against former world champ Ken Doherty, the world number four, after winning through to the Crucible stages for the second time in his career.

Two years ago Bingham shocked the snooker world when he took on and beat seven times world champion Stephen Hendry at Sheffield before losing to Jimmy White.

Bingham struggled in the current campaign after moving his own table from the Basildon club to the Executive, but has hit good form recently.

Apart from qualifying for the main stages of the Regal Scottish and the World event, he also won through to the Thailand Masters competition proper to earn his first ever trip to the Far East.

In stark contrast to Bingham's downfall, former Southend pro Brian Morgan -- who missed out on world qualification -- made an excellent start in Aberdeen.

He beat Thailand's James Wattana 5-4 in the opening round and this evening faced a tough challenge against former world champ Mark Williams.

Published Monday, April 8, 2002