Joe Perry has failed to qualify for the Betfred World Championships for just the second time since 2004 after suffering a humiliating defeat to the world number 82 in the second round of qualifying last night.

The Chatteris cueman led 6-4 against Akani Songsermsawad at Ponds Forge in Sheffield but the Thai rattled in five straight frames to put Perry on the brink of a shock exit in their first-to-10 clash.

Perry reduced the arrears by winning the next three, but Songsermsawad clinched the final frame 77-4.

The 42-year-old was forced to qualify after slipping down the world rankings to 19th, and later took to Twitter to vent his frustrations at what has been a poor campaign.

“Well, that performance pretty much sums up my season apart from a couple of highs! Lots of work needed in the close season!” he said.

“Really can’t keep playing like this, worst season for a long time standard wise! Changes needed!”

He also tweeted: “Can’t sleep!! #wounded #cantbelieveilost #playedterrible #didntdeservetowin” – at 3.30am later that night.