By Jonny Bryan BBC Sport at the Telford International Centre

Carter won the Welsh Open title in March

Ali Carter has said he is pleased to have overcome some indifferent form to beat Rory McLeod in the first round of the UK Championship in Telford.

Carter, a beaten semi-finalist in 2008, made just three breaks over 50 on the way to a 9-7 victory.

"I'm so pleased to get through. It was a workmanlike performance," the 30-year-old from Essex told BBC Sport.

"I didn't feel good but it's all about winning. I'm still here to have another go in the second round."

The 2008 World Championship runner-up added: "I couldn't shake him off. He [McLeod] is a very, very good player and it was as hard a match as I'll get.

"I obviously like to play free-flowing snooker but it can't be like that all the time.

"Sometimes it transpires that you can't play that way and you've got to take whatever happens."

Carter will meet Stephen Lee in Tuesday's second round.

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