Despair as battling Doherty beaten in Crucible qualifier

Ireland’s former world champion Ken Doherty last night suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final round of qualifying for the Crucible.

The 43-year-old Dubliner recovered from 9-4 behind and then 9-7 and 55-0 adrift to level his tussle with Matthew Selt at 9-9, forcing a deciding frame.

But that was where 1997 champion Doherty’s fightback ended, with Selt turning the screw to seal a 10-9 victory and a debut at the World Championships next Saturday.