Mark Allen reached the semi-finals at last year's World Championship

Antrim player Mark Allen is confident that he will soon reach his first ranking event final as he prepares to play in the UK Championship at Telford.

The 24-year-old has appeared in four ranking semi-finals, including last year's World Championship.

"If I play the way I know I can and keep knocking on the door, then I will start getting to finals and winning titles," said world number 11 Allen.

"I know the finals will come soon enough," he added.

In last year's World Championship Allen knocked out Ronnie O'Sullivan before losing to John Higgins.

"People keep reminding me that I've been in four semis and never a final but I don't get down about it," said the Northern Ireland player.

I had a very poor start to the season but I've done better in the last few events Mark Allen

The UK Championship provided one particularly happy memory for Allen as he beat his boyhood idol Stephen Hendry 9-4 in the first round in 2007.

"That was a great moment in my career, but in my next match I was 4-0 up on Mark Williams and lost 9-5.

"It's not just about winning certain matches, it's about performing on a regular basis," said the left-hander.

Allen has been drawn to face Tom Ford in the first round on Saturday.

"The UK and World Championships are the two biggest events in my view and I'm really hoping for a good run in Telford this year.

"I had a very poor start to the season but I've done better in the last few events and I'm hoping to push on and get into the top eight of the world rankings."

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