Allen victorious over Hendry in UK Snooker Championship

Five-time winner Stephen Hendry has been knocked out in the first round of the Maplin UK Snooker Championship, beaten 9-4 by 21-year-old Mark Allen.

Allen, a qualifier, took a 6-2 advantage at the break before cleaning up in the evening session, capitalising on Hendrys numerous errors.

It marks another step in the decline of the sport’s greatest player, but Hendry insists he still has the desire to compete.

Mark Williams, two times world champion and Stephen Maguire are also through to the second round.