SCOTLAND'S Eden Sharav is adamant he will be back better than ever despite crashing out of the UK Snooker Championship.

The 22-year-old lost 6-2 to Northern Ireland's Mark Allen in the first round at the York Barbican.

Sharav burst into an early 2-0 lead to give himself a chance of causing the shock of the tournament so far but world No.6 Allen showed his class by compiling a century break in the third frame.

And after he missed a great opportunity to seize a 3-1 lead, Sharav admits he wasn't in the right frame of mind after the mid-session interval.

He explained: "I lost a bad frame on the black that would have put me 3-1 up. When it was 2-2 instead I must admit my head went a bit. I lost concentration after that and you can't afford to do that against one of the best players in the world."

But Sharav, from Alloa, added: "For me this season is all about learning and gaining experience so a match like this really helps.

"Competing at such a big event and getting a taste of it definitely gives you the hunger to come back and do it again.

"The atmosphere is brilliant and I really enjoyed it."

Sharav has yet to earn a World Tour card, which would enable him to turn professional.

But he maintains he is content with his form this season.

"I've won a few matches and I qualified for the International Championship in China," he said. "My main aim is to get on the World Tour within the next couple of years and start climbing the rankings.

"I'd then be up against these guys every week but I feel I have the game to compete. I think I showed that against Mark."

Last night Dharav's fellow Scot Stephen Maguire got past a potential banana skin when he beat China's Lu Ning 6-2.

The world No.13 had fallen at the first hurdle in both the International Championship and Champion of Champions event.

And the relieved Glaswegian said: "I played OK and took my chances well.The first round is all about getting through.

"I have lost a couple this year so I am pleased to get this win."

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