Stephen Hendry came back from the brink of defeat to beat Ali Carter 9-8 and book a quarter-final place at the UK Championship. Carter was poised for a fourth win in five meetings against the Scot when, at 8-6 up, he looked set to clear up.
But he missed the final yellow into its own pocket and Hendry accepted his reprieve to take the frame and then the match.
Hendry now faces rank outsider Barry Pinches in his 15th quarter-final appearance at the UK Championship.
Carter did not even pot a ball in the closing two frames as the seven-times world champion fired in breaks of 48, 74 and 86.
"I couldn't believe it when Ali missed that yellow - he is a fantastic player," Hendry said.
"And I don't know why he hasn't been to semi-finals and finals more regularly."
Yet world number 17 Carter had earlier compiled a brilliant 143 clearance - the highest break of his professional career.
It eclipsed Ronnie O'Sullivan's 140, the previous highest break of this year's tournament.
Jimmy White dug deep to beat Fergal O'Brien 9-7.
O'Brien sprang a huge surprise on Saturday by ousting world number one Mark Williams.
But the Dubliner found White, 41, a tougher proposition than the defending champion.
O'Brien recovered from 7-5 down to level at 7-7, but White made breaks of 113 and 65 to seal the match.
Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Alan McManus 9-5 to progress.
He capitalised on a superb afternoon session during which he compiled breaks of 125, 134 and 121.
Matthew Stevens won the last three frames of his match against Thailand's James Wattana to win 9-6.
He now plays his good friend Paul Hunter in his fifth UK quarter-final in seven seasons.
MMIX
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