BOLTON snooker ace Craig Steadman endured a frustrating time at the IBSF World Championships in Austria.

The Walkden star, widely regarded as one of the best amateur players in the world, was beaten in the last 32 by Indian Pankaj Advani.

Advani, a former winner of the event, overcame Steadman 5-3 in the tournament that was eventually won by Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

“I didn’t do as well as I thought,” said Steadman. “It took me a lot of time to get used to the place.

“They used different tables over there and the lighting was poor. By the time I had adjusted I was knocked out.

“I also had some misfortune with the draw. I was top of my group, but my frame average suffered because of a no-show by a player that had been beaten 4-0 by everyone else in my group.

“That meant I was seeded a lot lower than my form in the group deserved and I was pitted against better players earlier on.

“I didn’t have a problem with that because to win these things you have to beat the best players at some point, but in hindsight it didn’t do me any favours.

“In the match I was knocked out, I missed three shots purely because the table was so uneven.

“I’m gutted, but I just have to deal with it.”

Steadman, however, is still on the verge of breaking into the Main Professional Tour alongside the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Cuemasters in the local leagues, needs to finish in the top eight of the series to achieve his dream, and he is currently second with 470 ranking points.

Traditionally, 500 points is usually enough to guarantee a place.

Steadman is taking nothing for granted considering the number of close misses he has suffered over the years.

“Until I have qualified I won’t rest on my laurels,” said Steadman. “If I was another player looking at my position I would think I have done enough, but because it is my name up there I won’t take anything for granted.

“There are three tournaments left and I only need to get to the quarter-finals of one of those to mathematically guarantee my place, so I want to do that as soon as possible.

“If I lost in the first round of the first two tournaments I will put myself under too much pressure in the final one.

“I am in a good position now and I don’t want to blow that.”

The remaining PIOS events in are February, March and April.