World number three Mark Allen produced a brilliant four frame burst to finish 9-7 up on John Higgins ahead of the final session of their Cazoo World Championship second round clash.
The Northern Irishman is still searching for that elusive Crucible crown, which would complete his Triple Crown set. Allen has already won the Masters in 2018 and the UK Championship in 2022.
Scotland’s four-time Crucible king Higgins is battling to cling on to his place in the world’s top 16, he must beat Allen here to stand a chance.
They were level at 4-4 heading into this afternoon, but it was Higgins who started brightest. He took three out of the first four, with a top run of 75, on his way to a 7-5 lead at the mid-session.
However, when play resumed Allen moved up a gear and crafted runs of 71, 94, 80 and 74 whilst taking four on the bounce to end 9-7 up. They return for the final session of this best of 25 encounter tomorrow evening from 7pm.
On the other table, Stuart Bingham moved 9-7 ahead against Jack Lisowski in their second round clash.
Both players are among the highest profile qualifiers to have emerged from the English Institute of Sport earlier this month, having suffered below par seasons to this point.
It was Bingham who led 5-3 heading into this afternoon, but Lisowski battled back to take three of the first four and draw level at 6-6.
Bingham moved ahead once more by taking the 13th, with Lisowski restoring parity thanks to a 72 break in the 14th to make it 7-7. However, it was Basildon cueman Bingham who claimed the last two to lead 9-7.
They resume tomorrow evening at 7pm with Bingham needing four more for victory.