Mark Allen exits from Welsh Open after defeat by Ding Junhui

Mark Allen is out of the Welsh Open in Newport after losing 4-2 against defending champion Ding Junhui.

Breaks of 53 and 78 helped the Chinese player take the opening two frames and he then edged a tight third frame to move 3-0 ahead.

Runs of 81 and 86 helped Allen move to within a frame of Ding but the holder clinched a place in the quarter-finals with a break of 77.

Ken Doherty progressed to the last eight by beating Tom Ford 4-3.

Dubliner Doherty's win set up a quarter-final meeting with Stuart Bingham.

Allen had beaten Marco Fu 4-2 in the previous round.