Adrian Gunnell lost narrowly to Steve Davis

Telford's Adrian Gunnell is upbeat despite losing 5-4 to Steve Davis in the last 16 of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix on Wednesday.

Having beaten world number three Shaun Murphy in the previous round, Gunnell said: "I know there's big form coming.

"My recent form has been patchy, and I can't put my finger on why. But where I've played well, it's like I'm playing better than ever before.

"It's all about confidence, and I've just got to stick at it."

The 36-year-old, who started his career 14 years ago, took it to a deciding frame against his boyhood hero.

"Steve Davis was the reason I got into snooker," said Gunnell. "I used to sit for hours in front of the telly wishing he'd win every time."

Gunnell is now hoping to reproduce his new-found form on his own doorstep when the Maplin UK Championship finals are held at the Telford International Centre in December.