SNOOKER star Robert Milkins saw a crucial blue go down… while sitting in his chair.
The Bristolian, 48, was in action at the Northern Ireland Open, having endured a torrid season.
Robert Milkins attempted to pot the blue[/caption]
Milkins’ last event had been at the Wuhan Open in China, where he squandered a 4-1 lead to lose 5-4 to Zak Surety.
In Belfast, the Milkman took on Northern Irish hopeful Jordan Brown in round one.
Leading 2-0, he looked to pot the blue for a commanding three-frame lead.
He initially appeared to have botched the shot, with the blue cannoning back off the bumpers.
Disappointed, Milkins didn’t even bother to see where the blue would land, immediately heading back to his chair.
Turning round as he sat down, his face was a picture of shock as he saw the blue fall into the middle pocket.
Looking slightly embarrassed, Milkins raised a hand of apology to his opponent for his flukey shot.
As it happened, Milkins three-frame lead went on to be crucial.
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Brown, 37, went on to take the next two frames, reducing his deficit to 3-2.
Milkins then grabbed the sixth to win the contest 4-2.
Prior to his match with Brown, the Milkman had won just once so far this season, against world No112 Farakh Ajaib in Wuhan Qualifying.
At the World Championship back in April he beat China’s Pang Junxu 10-9 in round one before falling to Luca Brecel‘s conqueror David Gilbert.
After beating Brown in Belfast, Milkins went on to lose in round two.
He was soundly beaten 4-1 by Tian Pengfei, who will face Louis Heathcote in round three.
