The 46-year-old Stockport sharpshooter had to withstand a determined comeback from  market gardener Farmer - a tournament debutant - who swept back from 2-0 down.

O’Shea swept into the match taking the opening five legs unchallenged. Farmer annexed the next, gritty O’Shea saw edging into 2-0 match lead.

“Tractor Boy” motored back in the third, recovering from losing the opening leg to clinch the set 3-1 on double tops as O’Shea’s form dipped.

Punishing the lack-lustre performance of the Cheshire player, Farmer planted the seeds of a remarkable comeback, sweeping through the fourth set unchallenged but the 2004 semi finalist held his nerve to annex the fifth set 3-2.

Afterwards O’Shea wiped the sweat away and took a sharp intake of breath: “That was bad. I just couldn’t find my throw. At one point I was standing a good two inches behind the oche.

“I just couldn’t lift my game and after the second set I turned to Steve and he said that he was dragging my game down to his level! Before the game I didn’t miss anything in practise but up on stage….”

“The only good point I can take away from the match is that I won and will be playing in the second round but it was not a good performance,” declared O’Shea.