John Higgins suffered heartbreaking defeat in the Northern Ireland Open final last night to home favourite Mark Allen.
The Wizard of Wishaw was 8-6 ahead but Allen produced a fine comeback to win three frames on the bounce, and claim the Alex Higgins Trophy with an emotional 9-8 victory.
Higgins was on the table at 8-7 when he missed a black that would have all but sealed the title.
In a scrappy deciding frame, both players missed opportunities but when Higgins missed a tricky red holding a narrow 31-27 lead, Allen made no mistake to clinch the crown in Belfast with a break of 38.
Higgins pulled off great wins over Mark Williams and Yan Bingtao to reach the final, but couldn't add to the ranking title he won in March - his first for three years - when he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan.
After his defeat, the 46-year-old said: "It's pretty disappointing, but listen, this game is all about making memories and I think Mark will have one of the best memories of his life being here with his family and friends and his daughter, so every credit to him.
"At 8-6 he could have folded, but he played a brilliant frame to go 8-7 and put the pressure back on.
"He's a great ambassador for Irish snooker, so well done to him.
"Earlier on in the tournament I was one ball away [from going out] when I was 3-0 down to Mark Williams, so if someone said I was going to come through and have a great match against Mark in front of his home fans, I'd have taken it.
"I'm disappointed, but every credit to him."
Allen said: . "At 8-6 down I was getting completely outplayed.
“You are just hoping for a chance in the last frame. I needed two to finally get over the line.
"The buzz towards the end there on the last few balls, I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to stand up and pot them.
"The roar from the crowd on every shot of that clearance was something I’ve never ever experienced in my life and maybe never will again. It spurred me on.
“That is why you play the sport. You want to play the very best on the biggest occasions.
"John is one of the very best. I pride myself on believing that my best game is as good as their best game is."
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