That's as tough as it gets, admits survivor Hendry

The 22-year-old Ulsterman, a former world amateur champion, came within an ace of the 7-3 lead that would almost certainly have lit the Crucible exit sign for seventimes world champion Hendry.

But the Scot, regarded as the best player ever to pick up a cue, recovered to win 10-9 and insisted that he felt good enough about his game to chase an eighth world crown at the age of 39.

When Allen, 6 - 3 up overnight, missed brown with Hendry needing two snookers, the former world No 1 admitted: "I almost never got out of my chair, but something inside told me to get up. It was a big frame."

Hendry still faced defeat at 9-7 but eventually forced a decider that brought a dramatic 72 winning break. He said: 'That's probably the greatest first-round match I've ever won.

"I was being outplayed but I just hung in there and refused to go down — one thing I've always had is big balls. That's as tough a match as I'll get here.

"I'm not one of the favourites, but inside I'm easily capable of winning it. Though if you look at my record over the last two years, I'd probably have written me off."

For red-fringed Allen it was hair today, gone tomorrow. He said: "I've probably just cost myself a top-16 place. I played the best snooker and deserved to win, but if you don't take your chances, that happens."

Ryan Day already has one champion in the family and the 28-year-old Welshman is getting the itch to join in after seeing off Dubliner Michael Judge to reach the last 16.

Day's brother Rhys, a former Manchester City and Wales Under 21 defender, has just skippered Aldershot to the Blue Square Premier football title and promotion to League Two.

Day has never reached the quarter-finals but saw outsiders Shaun Murphy and Graeme Dott lift the title and said: "If I can find my best form and stay focused when I'm out there, then I've got the ability.

"It's important to have your head right and be switched on mentally. It took me a while to settle down. I just don't want to look too far ahead — John Higgins next is a tough game."

Judge missed the penultimate red of a 147 attempt that would have earned the world No 34 £157,000 and even Day groaned when the maximum break escaped his opponent.