The 32-year-old, ranked 88th in the world, admitted the second round match will be the biggest of his career.

Tony Drago's break of 119 could not stop him going out at the first hurdle

"I've never played in front of such a big crowd before but hopefully 2% will be on my side," he said.

"I believe you can beat anybody on your day. It's just a case of being prepared and making sure I'm on my game.

"I've had a bit of experience of playing on television when I competed at the LG Cup last season and that's what you need when you're playing these big matches."

McLeod took a 2-0 lead in Edinburgh before Drago hit back with a 119 break and took a 3-2 advantage.

But McLeod won the last three frames to reach the last 32 of a world ranking event for only the second time in his career.

Fergal O'Brien, a former world top 10 player, will have to pre-qualify for next season's major events after losing 5-1 to in-form Sean Storey.

I just want to keep the momentum going before the world championship Sean Storey

The Irishman, who has lost his last six matches, is certain to drop out of the top 32 in the world rankings.

"I'll have to go back to the drawing board and see if I can come back stronger," said O'Brien, who was 30th in the provisional standings before the start of the tournament.

Storey, the world number 82, has won 27 matches this season and is undefeated since the January qualifiers.

"I take every match a ball at a time, and it's a result if I wake up the day after I play having won," he said.