Portishead's Ben Hancorn was unable to emulate his Home Nations heroics as he slipped to a 4-1 defeat against Ali Carter in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open.

World No.118 Hancorn memorably reached the last 32 of the English Open last month but Carter, a two-time World Championship finalist, proved too hot to handle at the second Home Nations event of the season.

Carter, the current world No.19, crafted breaks of 108 and 69 and while Hancorn battled admirably at the Marshall Arena, he was unable to halt the ‘Captain’ advancing into the last 64.

Hancorn, 38, did level the scores at one frame apiece but a fine century from Carter, followed by a steady 69, edged him over the line and sent the current English Amateur Snooker Championship holder back home disappointed.

Hancorn’s £4,000 payday at the English Open was by far the largest of his career as he earned £2,000 for each of his wins against Sean Maddocks and then – unforgettably – world No.15 and the quickest player in the game Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

He followed that up with a 5-3 defeat against Mark Davis in the first round of German Masters qualifying but it’s been a promising start to the season for Hancorn, who secured a two-year card on the professional Tour at Q School earlier this year.

Hancorn also lost 5-2 against Pang Junxu in the first round of the European Masters but that run at the English Open has marked him out as one of the sport’s surprise packages as the snooker circuit continues behind closed doors.

Next up for Hancorn will be his first taste of a Triple Crown event, with a stern challenge awaiting in the form of three-time world champion Mark Williams.

The tournament, a Triple Crown competition alongside the World Championship and Masters, will be taking place at the same Milton Keynes venue rather than its usual York location as the sport continues to adapt to coronavirus restrictions.

A result for Hancorn on Monday would undoubtedly mark the zenith of his early snooker career, with Williams – currently ranked world No.14 – a player with two Masters titles and 22 ranking event crowns to his name in a storied 30-year career.

Watch the Northern Ireland Open live on Eurosport, Eurosport app, and stream on discovery+