Walton-le-Dale star Ian McCulloch missed out on a place at this year’s World Championships after losing 10-7 to Barry Hawkins in his final qualifying round.

McCulloch ousted Malta veteran Tony Drago in the second qualifying round at the English Institute of Sport, in Sheffield, but found Hawkins, the highest ranked player in the qualifiers at No 17, a tougher proposition.

Up 6-3 after the first session, Hawkins, from Dartford, added the four frames he needed with top runs of 66 and 109.