Dave Harold made it third time lucky at Wembley as he beat former champion John Higgins 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley.

Harold had lost on his two previous visits to the capital and had come out second best against the Scotsman on five occasions.

"I used to think that John was on a different level to me," admitted the Potteries professional.

"So you can imagine how chuffed I am with this result.

"To be honest I didn't play to my best and neither did John. He missed a few and I could sense he was off his game.

Higgins, who won the event in 1999, was only ahead once at 2-1.

Although he levelled at 3-3 with a break of 55, his highest of the contest, he could not throw off the shackles.

"I just cannot seem to settle at this place," admitted the world number two after falling at the first hurdle for the second year running.

"Even when I won here I didn't play anywhere near my best. A few years ago I could get through not playing my best but my "B" game is not there anymore."

World number 13 Harold, who earlier had made breaks of 86 and 55, finished off the three hour contest with efforts of 52, 67 and 71 to score one of the best wins of his career.

Harold will now play either John Parrott or Stephen Lee for a place in the last four.