Donaldson stuns Allen in UK upsetpublished at 23:36 GMT 1 December

23:36 GMT 1 DecemberBreaking

Allen 1-6 Donaldson

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at York Barbican

Scott DonaldsonImage source, PA Media

World number 52 Scott Donaldson gained one of the best victories of his career as he beat eighth seed Mark Allen in a late-night finish on day three of the UK Championship.

Donaldson, whose father Hector died aged 70 on 2 October, was in tears as he walked to the arena before the match as the song he chose, Babylon by David Gray, was one of his dad’s favourites.

The 31-year-old Scot had caused a big shock as he fought back from 5-0 down to defeat former world champion Stuart Bingham 6-5 in the final qualifying round and Donaldson maintained that form at York Barbican.

He led former world number one Allen 3-0, with the Northern Irishman, who won this tournament in 2022, pulling one back before the mid-session interval.

But in a match full of long, tough frames, one of which lasted an hour with another around the 50-minute mark, Donaldson managed to keep nudging closer to victory, before sealing a 6-1 success.