Basildon snooker professional Stuart Bingham suffered a speedy exit from the fourth and final qualifying round of the Irish Masters at Pontin's Prestatyn last night.

Bingham came up against the sport's most exciting up-and-coming talent, 23-year-old Stephen Maguire, and lost 5-1.

Maguire went into a 4-0 lead with breaks of 79, 85, 74 and 80 before the new towner hit back with a 55.

But Travis Perkins UK champion Maguire clinched the best of nine frames affair with a 66.

In the competition proper in March Maguire will face world champ Ronnie O'Sullivan, who he has already beaten twice in ranking events this term.

Spare a thought for Bingham! On Monday night he again faces Maguire when the opening stages of the Welsh Open get underway in Newport.