Tony Drago out-gunned Jimmy White to march into the last 16 of the British Open last night.

The Maltese No. 1 came from 2-0 down to win 5-2 and send the fans' favourite crashing out before a packed house at the Brighton Centre.

Earlier, Stephen Hendry had eased through 5-2 against Welshman Dominic Dale but White was unable to join him in the third round.

White, 41, knocked in a break of 130 in the second frame but Drago hit back with runs of 64 and 92 to level at 2-2.

He trailed 0-64 in the fifth frame but White failed to get over the line and Drago eventually cleared from brown to black to pinch a 3-2 lead.

The 38-year-old from Valetta made breaks of 56 and 41 in the next two frames to make the match safe and set up a meeting with Stephen Lee for a place in the quarter-finals.

Drago said: "Jimmy started so well it was scary but after I came back to 2-2 I was the better player.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere. When you go out in front of a large crowd like that you can easily crack up, and it's happened to me before.

"But I feel much happier at the moment and made the most of my chances."

Drago is the fastest player in snooker and holds the record for the quickest-ever frame at three minutes. He has been working with Del Hill, the long-time friend and mentor of Ronnie O'Sullivan, who has persuaded Drago to mix 'the flair with the care'.

Drago said: "I feel good and the difference is in my approach. Instead of rushing into my shots, Del has got me walking to them.

"There's never been any problem with my game, it's about how I feel at the table."

Mark Davis, the world No. 35 from St Leonards, edged out Alan McManus 5-4 to also advance to the last 16.

Hendry, meanwhile, is hoping he has finally silenced the doubts over his new cue after beating Dale 5-2.

Hendry knocked in breaks of 134, 54 and 120 to lead 4-0 before Dale closed to 4-2 with runs of 100 and 116.

But the world No. 2 stopped the comeback in the seventh frame to book his place in the last 16.

The cue he used to win a record 34 ranking titles, which included seven world titles, was smashed by Heathrow baggage handlers in early September.

It was repaired but did not feel the same and Hendry is now using a new two-piece model. He lost his first match with the cue when Michael Holt beat him 5-3 at last month's LG Cup.

But Hendry is adamant the new model suits him fine and said: "Within days of practising with this new one I was making centuries, so I'm happy with it."

Gerard Greene has double reason to celebrate after causing a huge upset.

Greene, on the eve of his 30th birthday, sent world No. 6 Ken Doherty crashing out 5-2 to set up a third round meeting with Steve Davis or Joe Swail.

World No. 16 Joe Perry ensured Tom Ford's television debut ended in disappointment by beating him 5-1. Perry made breaks of 66 and 68 and cleared the colours in the fourth to edge 3-1 ahead.