Stephen Maguire fought back from 5-2 down to knock out fellow Scot Graeme Dott 6-5 in the first round of the Masters at Wembley.

Mark Williams, intent on reversing an alarming slide down snooker’s pecking order, today reached his first world ranking event quarter-final for 11 months.

If Barry Pinches shocks Stephen Hendry in the last 16 of the Malta Cup tonight, expect thanks to be extended to Norwich bank manager Stephen Feeney.

Ken Doherty has set his sights on the quarter-finals of the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley after he overcame Matthew Stevens - 6-5 last night.

Ronnie O’Sullivan plans to snub Jimmy White when snooker’s top crowd pullers go head-to-head in the £695,000 (€1.1m) and Hedges Masters.