Mark Allen defeats Stevens in World Championship

Mark Allen won the last four frames to beat Matthew Stevens 10-9 in a World Championship thriller on Wednesday night.

The Antrim player trailed the Welshman 5-4 going into the second session at the Crucible.

The first four frames were shared before Stevens moved 9-6 ahead.

Allen started the fightback with a 103 break as he won the final four frames to set up a second round match with Barry Hawkins.

The world number 11, who recently revealed he was suffering from depression, finished the match with an inspired run of 45.

"I was so close to smashing the pack off the break at 9-6 - I had to talk myself out of it on my backswing," said the 25-year-old.

"From somewhere I got a hundred break and that seemed to spur me on.

"I don't know where I got it from but I've always been a bit of a fighter and I don't really give up.

"I didn't want to be there from 6-4 down and I just wanted to walk out.

"I think I had to win that match to stay in the top 16. There was a lot of pressure on it but I managed to do it so it's onwards and upwards."

It was the second World Championship meeting between the two players, with Stevens winning their 2007 encounter.