NOTTINGHAM potter Anthony Hamilton started the new snooker season with a hard-fought win yesterday.

The world No.33 clinched a 5-4 victory over Gloucester cueman Robert Milkins in the penultimate round of qualifying for next month's Roewe Shanghai Masters.

And with victory at the Pontin's Holiday Park in Prestatyn, North Wales, Hamilton (pictured) now plays Stoke's Jamie Cope in the final qualifying round today.

Trailing 3-2, it looked as though Hamilton was on course for an early exit before hitting back.

Hamilton won a crucial eighth frame on the final black and held his nerve to win the ninth and final frame.

"It was a long match, it was hard out there," said Hamilton, who needed four hours 35 minutes to beat his opponent.

"I never really got going but thankfully I managed to scrap my way over the winning line. All I care about is that I've won.

"I'd love to qualify for Shanghai. I want to be playing in as many ranking tournaments as I can."

Looking ahead to his match with Cope, Hamilton added: "He's a very good player, I'll need to play a lot better."

Fellow Nottingham professional Michael Holt, the world No.24, faces Glaswegian Jamie Burnett, with one win required to make sure of a place at the Shanghai Grand Stage from September 7-13.