Snooker veteran John Higgins made a magnificent 147 maximum break to keep alive his hopes of reaching the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals.
The Scot made only the eleventh 147 break at a World Championship against Kurt Maflin as he made a strong start in the morning session.
It is the first time that a maximum has been achieved in the competition since compatriot Stephen Hendry achieved the same feat back in 2012.
Higgins, who made the final of competition last year, had trailed 5-3 to Maflin overnight but the maximum helped to set up a possible comeback in what is a close tie.
His Norwegian opponent had started off well before he moved three ahead after a break of 97.
But four-time world champion Higgins hit back in the final frame of the session with a sparkling 147 to head into the break 7-5 down.
It is the tenth 147 the Scot has made in his illustrious career.
If no other players equals the maximum, then it could be worth as much as £55,000.
Higgins and Maflin bumped elbows after he potted the final black, before Higgins left the arena with a huge grin on his face.
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