Hendry was trailing 6-2 going into the evening session but an almighty effort by the Scot, claiming seven of the final nine frames kept his dreams alive of a record-equalling sixth UK Championship title.

Lee struggled to settle as Hendry clawed the deficit back with breaks of 60, 77 and 93.

The seven-time world champion continued the recovery but had to suffer several anxious moments as Lee, from 8-6 behind, kept the game alive.

Missed chances

Hendry missed a vital red in the 16th frame for a 9-7 win, and Lee's run of 63 set up the decider.

Lee looked poised for a rare win over Hendry but missed a relatively easy pink - and Hendry completed a memorable victory with a break of 66.

He now plays countryman John Higgins for a place in Sunday's final - and for the first time in 30 months all the top four seeds have taken their allotted place in the draw.

"I thought my chance had gone," admitted Hendry.

"I could have won 9-6 or 9-7, so I was pleased with the way I came through in the end."

Lee was left rueing his missed chances and was naturally unhappy with missing out on a semi-final place.

"Stephen didn't win the game. I just made too many mistakes," groaned the world number five from Trowbridge.

"I got out of jail really to be 6-2 up and then I didn't get fired-up for the evening session like I should have done."

The comeback revived memories of Hendry's 9-8 victory in the 1999 Irish Masters final when he stunned Lee by coming from 5-0 and 8-4 down.