Day 4 Masters Snooker Extra

Hello and welcome to Alexandra Palace and the 2014 Masters tonight

features world number one, Neil Robertson taking on Northern

Ireland's Mark Allen. He is in fine form having worn the championship in

York in December. It should be a cracking match, John.

Absolutely. Interesting to see how Mark Allen starts. No one doubts his

ability. A little bit hot and cold. Just having a quiet word with the

referee. Everything seems to be in order. Two left-handers as well,

that is unusual. They are also fantastic pot builders as well.

Not sure if he's going to have a possible go at this red here. He was

always possibly bearing on the side of safety. What a fantastic pot.

Just did not come off the back cushion high enough to have a go at

the black. A great start, that is for sure.

Let's have a look at this. Beautiful.

A missed call. Probably expecting the cue ball to slide a little bit

more after the cushion. It seemed to come off a little bit straight after

the middle pocket. Making a minor adjustment here. You can make too

much of an adjustment and it just slide off the back. You have to be a

little bit careful here. You can over adjust. And that is the case. I

think he has left a red on. You are dead right. Not only that, he has

left a lovely angle for Robertson here. He can pot is read and start

on a few others as well. From that angle there he has a wonderful angle

off this red. Watch whether reds are going to go.

He would be disappointed with that, he did not get enough side. The

right hand side on, right on the angle of the cue ball. They are

always tricky, these types of shots. Especially when the cue ball is so

close to the blue. A couple of inches down the table towards the

peak and you would expect him to pot that. But it is just that it more

difficult to judge. I would be surprised if he does not take this

blue on. Well he did not take it on, he

played a safety. Honestly because he took the red to the right corner

here. He may regret not going for the pot here. Well, clothes, but not

quite there. It did not cost Neil Robertson anything. If it was later

on the match, he probably feels first frame, he will settle in. A

little bit nervy, this opening frame. Well he can have a go at this

rate and then he can leave the cue ball exactly where he put it. And he

wouldn't be leaving anything and would still have the pink to the

left centre. He made the pot, just a little bit

more difficult by using that kind of pace.

Well it is not bad, is it? That is second prize.

Never easy, those type of shot. Trying to hold for the black.

It is difficult to know if he can get in to play the red, on the left

tied down the Mac if he can just get through to it.

I think this is an important visit for Mark Allen. If he could make a

frame winning contribution on this visit, it would really settle him

down for the rest of the match. He has got the chance, can he take it?

The reds are wonderfully spread as well. He doesn't have to worry about

going into the pack, at least for a few shots. Of course he always has

that insurance of the red over in the right centre as well. That

always helps. You can see the red in the middle of the bunch is directly

above the red -- black. Plenty of -- to work with here.

The highest available was the yellow spot. Blue on its spot, no problems.

So far, it is nice and settled. Striking the ball crisply.

First poor shot, a little bit straight. He wanted to make a little

cannon on one of those reds in the bunch. That is good recovery.

If he's straight enough, he can just rolled down. The angle is not what

he would like. He still always has this red up in the right centre.

Just looking from behind the popping he needs to get the right side of

the blue. He needs to play it was quite a bit of side. A lot of

players don't really like using the sides. He is trying to get the right

angle. He has judged it well. It just shows you that careless shot

when he should have had a good angle on the black. It has just no bald.

It is not getting any easier. He has just got a slight angle. Obviously

Mark did not think so. This is a big shot for Mark Allen. If he can get

the shot he should win the frame. A bit of pressure on this one. A good

part. A little grimace will tell us that

it is not the ideal angle but can he force it?

Yes he can! That is very very good. Excellent shot. He just down the cue

ball and forced the angle. So the blue opening or to nine

points in front. Still 67 remaining. This blue, a couple more reds and

colours, playing a little cannon. He has got the red to the right middle

but it could have been better. As it turned out, he was perfect

just to play a little screw back for the black. When he came to the

table, this was just what he needed. This red, will bring 58 points a

head with just 51 remaining. Well played. This has been a really good

break. He was in trouble a couple of times and could have had some really

good pot. He was just looking at his sleeve there, looks like his

cufflinks have come undone. This could take a while, this is awkward.

When you have a cue under the other arm. He might need some help from

the referee. What a pro. He has found the gap.

Now this red he would like to play up for the pink. If he gets on the

pink, it will be easier to get on the yellow. A nice rake as he passes

so far. ?10,000 for the highest break. It can't be bettered here but

it would be a start for Mark Allen to make a century.

Never doubt, was their? Excellent break from Mark Allen. A great

start. Certainly putting down a marker. As

he plays an exhibition shot. He has played the double. But not

got it. Neil Robertson a little bit tentative in that first frame. But

Mark Allen got his chance. He wins the frame with a wonderful break the

114. A decent break of shot just by

virtue of the fact he has not left a pot in. He has just stepped out,

Mark Allen. Can he just slipped past the blue and catch the thin edge of

the red on the right-hand side of the table? That is what he is

looking at. If he cannot do that then he will have to play some kind

of swerve because I don't know if he can get to the edge of the reds to

play safely down the left-hand side of the table. Can he get to the edge

of that read past the blue? He may be able to swerve it slightly.

Couldn't have played it better. Good shot. Sadly, nothing wrong with his

eyesight, John. That was a good shot.

This is an excellent return. He has to be careful here, Mark Allen,

because the obvious shot would to be lead the cue ball down on this lack

cushion. But because the red is so close to the rack, Neil Robertson

could play some very simple snooker. Particularly if he leads the cue

ball down the left-hand corner pocket.

The one that is just next to the black. He has to be very careful

with the shot. This red does pot now. Can he hold

for the black? I'm not quite sure what the angle is there. It was not

the best containing safety was it? That would have been a lot more

difficult if the cue ball had been against the top cushion, which was

the aim. This is not the best chance with the black tied up at the moment

and the pink out of commission. Just glad to get his hand on the table

after seeing Mark makes a wonderful break in the last round. This looks

good. Play for the red just below the black. Canon fit into that two

rates to the right. If this goes right, it is an excellent

opportunity. A good shot. Maybe a bit more

backspin. To pull it away from the black. He should still pot this.

When the balls are close, they are more difficult to judge. That's the

problem. It is hard to see the angle when it is so close to the object

ball. Didn't get enough backspin. Always miserable. --. Whether he

doesn't like using the rest so much, I don't know. He has been let off

the hook. That is something you can't afford to do at this level.

When your opponent misses, you have to punish him. He would be very

disappointed to miss that. A good opportunity. Again, as you said, an

excellent chance. He went to be happy with that contact. A little

bit heavy. May have to take the blue. Must hit the pink full ball

here. Looks it is not going to go into the rates. K. Didn't have to go

into the rates because there were some loose reds available.

A little bit short, but the red goes through the gap. He could play for

the black. Judged fit nicely. Just coming round to see if the red is

available for the top corner. Then he can just roll it in, the blue. He

has overdone it. He is still on the red, but a little shorter so he

could play for the black. Where is the cue ball going? ! Oh,

that was close. Is he on the black? Obviously not. Well, that was a

wonderful shots. He just stretch them in. That is pure confidence in

your cue action. A lot of lawyers would be stunned. He just cued it

wonderfully. He has to be low on the black care. That was the

difference. He was concentrating so much on position for the black that

he made it a little more difficult. He would be disappointed with that.

He's played that nicely. Didn't want to risk it, so imperative that he

got a good length for the cue ball. He never discount Neil Robertson

from putting anything. Well, he can't see the two rates

that are left of the pink. -- read this -- reds. Very well judged. The

red has popped out. If you take it on, you are going into the red ink.

Not sure where the cue ball is going. He played the pot. Still on

the way up. Nicely played. Didn't have to do

much with the cue ball. This is a frame winning chance.

When he missed the black with the rest earlier in this frame, he may

have feared the worst. His opponent didn't capitalise on it. He would be

mighty relieved with a couple of pots to get his first frame on the

board. 56 ahead. Red, would suffice. Overall assessment, both players are

looking pretty good. He looked to be doing quite nicely. It looks to be

the match we expect to. But safety. Both players looking like they can

win the frame if they get the opportunity. Just trying to nudge

the red into play. There is no way Mark Allen will continue. An

attempt, but it doesn't really matter. There you go. Neil Robertson

has his first frame on the board. All set for a good match. A

wonderful venue, isn't it? Another two reds. He has decided

against... He did have a bit of luck. Just coming to have a look at

the same couple of reds. He probably can't even make it from the single.

That was careless. So close. You have to be aware of how the reds are

going to finish. He may be fortunate that the black doesn't go to the

opposite corner is the red. You see on the black? That's a

wonderful shot. That's unique he felt he could get on. Well played. A

lovely angle on the black. The cue ball should be nowhere near

the black. Natural angle to go into the reds. These are a very tricky.

I was a bit surprised he played it that way. This looks like you need

distance red. Neil Robertson put his hand up to apologise with that one.

The good thing for Mark Allen is that he was so close to cushion he

had to go for the blue. Couldn't go for the reds.

too bad. Maybe able to play a little suave. -- swerve. Catching the jaw.

Safe enough. Excellent link again from Neil

Robertson. If you can get that lengthen the keyboard makes so much

more difficult for opponent. This looks like a good reply. That's one

time you would have wanted it to bounce and exchange or two. -- extra

inch. Have a look at the cue ball here. That is a great asset to have.

Look at the distance he has on the cue ball. His first priority was

getting at lack onto the cushion. That was an excellent safety shot.

At first glance, it is an excellent nudge off the green. Maybe able to

get past the blue. He caught it too thick. It's one of the hardest

things when the object ball is to close. Will he take this pot on? It

is risky. It's been 25 minutes since he last potted a ball. This is a

risky pot. Percentagewise, worth going for. It could go for the red

down the left-hand side of the table. Well, he went full-blooded.

Not sure if Neil can get through the gap to the red. It's pretty close.

Neil can suddenly popped it to the right. -- certainly pot. It makes

the pot so much more difficult. He may try and play a good safety

shot. The red closest to the bottom left corner pocket, he may be able

to popped it. He is playing to plants. An awful lot of distance

between the reds. I'm not sure whether that was the right choice.

He certainly doesn't look it now. If the red didn't go in, he didn't know

where it was going to finish up. You have to keep an eye on the object

ball. This is a nice easy starter for Mac. -- Mark. You can set up for

half an hour, and the Synergy get a chance, everything will click

together. The black is available. When it goes on the spot, it will

certainly be available for the left corner pocket, and maybe the right.

Couldn't ask for a better opportunity than this.

I'm not sure what is on, but he would be disappointed with that. He

will have to play a simple cannon on the red. You can't see it, he may be

able to do a small swerve. A good recovery. He would be relieved. They

say it is all about fractions here. Just managed to do the swerve to get

to the red. Well, he has messed it up again. This time he is not on the

red. He had so much room for error, he just wanted to hit that the three

quarters ball. It decelerated a little bit. Just didn't get the

action on the cue ball. He knows how to play it. After that a bright

start, he has been a bit disappointing since then. Had half a

chance in the last frame and didn't make the most of the opportunity.

You can see they had shake. -- head. Very surprised that he missed it

first time around. Now it is Mark Allen with the problem.

There is the possible escape to verify the right centre and train

now with a reds behind the black. The difficulty is that... He has

decided to go the other side. That was the problem of leaving the red

open. I'm sure he would love to reds under

the pink. A decent opportunity for Neil Robertson here.

Whale! -- wow! A thought wow, he nearly missed that one. Wasn't too

interested in being on the black. He should have nudged the red to the

left of the black. Shouldn't have left the black on its spot there. An

unexpected opportunity. It is imperative he gets it possibly off

the pink. That red that is in the open and is available for the left

corner, he wants to be in this situation where he can bring the

three reds into play and play the black. His next few shots are

critical in this frame. A good angle on the pink. If he is straight, that

is very careless. If it is straight, that is a very poor shot.

He is dead straight. He can't possibly get on the red closest to

the black spot. That was extremely careless. A shake of the head, he

would be very disappointed. Because no red goes in the right corner

pocket. He could have played for the red into the left corner. You can't

do that now so it is just pop the pink for the six points and play it

safe -- pot. Good links with the safety. --

length. This is a tricky shot here. If he tries to get the cue ball back

to baulk, the problem is the two reds that are... The three reds,

should he hit the first red on the way down it is knocking the second

red on the way down so you want to avoid that. He may try and lay into

these reds, just drop a dead weight. The three reds on the top

cushion, if he tries to get back the ball with the cue ball, it could go

wrong That ran straight as a die, didn't

it? I don't blame mark for that. He did

not want a snooker meal on these three reds because he wants him to

hit them and if he does, as Ken was alluding to, maybe leave one, for a

pot, you can't drop dead weight here you have to try and get back to

baulk. He is trying dead weight. As it reached? It hasn't. What is worse

is he have -- has left it to the right centre. Hot this red -- pot,

to get to the cluster near the top cushion and he could win the frame.

No problem putting the red, but it is the angle. That is why he wants

to put it out. I am surprised. Even if he doesn't get an angle he could

pot the red and black and get an extra eight points. He is not going

to gain much advantage here will stop I am absolutely amazed he has

not played the red, absolutely amazed. You have a chance to

possibly win the frame and you turn it down and have the ball replaced.

All Neil Robertson will do is play the same shot but a little harder.

It has turned a little bit. You said it was dead straight but that helped

it drift a little and have a look at this again. The cue ball looks like

it will hit the first red, but then you see it turn a little. It did not

run over a finger mark or something. But I thought he hit more

of the red than that. I'm not quite sure why he can see this full ball.

If you can see the full ball, then the referee has to warn him. I think

he has said that he did not think he could hit a full ball also... That

position looks as though you could hit the red as close to the position

of full ball. He is allowing a bit of drift. It may have run over a

finger mark. Mark Allen may still win this frame

but I think he has missed the trick.

This red pots from the potting angle, he will be void the reds near

the top cushion. He is one of the best long pot is Mac in the game. --

potters. I think it is forcing him to take this on.

He was quite a way away with it from that far away. He has left of the

red. -- left the red. That was nice, tight on the cushion.

Potting the red gave him the perfect angle to come around for the black,

with the choice of luck or pink. You would favour the pink I would

suppose because you have more control of the cue ball. That he is

playing the black. Either or, really. -- But. He would like it to

be straight on this red. He needs red, yellow, red.

Plays it nicely. A nice angle on the black. One more red needed.

This is frame ball. A little bit tricky.

His played it nicely. -- he has played it nicely and Neil

Robinson... This frame, going up to the 30

minute mark, whereas the first frame took less than 15 minute. The second

frame just less than 40 minute. At it does not matter to Mark Allen who

has a two brains to one lead. -- two frames.

Not the best rate from them by any means. -- break. He will finish on

blue. First chance goes to Mark Allen.

Don't think he is on the red to the left of the pink. He needs an angle

on the blue. He wants to be high. Must hit the pink full ball here. A

bit of luck. Is he on this red into the left-hand

corner pocket? Not the best wet but he may be just about on this red. --

red. A good pot. Not many reds moved.

Just passes the two-hour mark for this match. A and turns. A few

misses. A few good shots. I don't blame him playing the cannon

at the red he hit him needed to hit full ball to keep the cue ball in

the middle of the table. He had a chance, but he missed it.

And of course when you are amongst the balls, it is unlikely you will

leave it safe. He felt it was worth the risk,

taking the red on. He felt it was worth it and it could have -- he

could have won the frame from that position. He has left an opportunity

for them. If ever he needed a good rate it was now because he has not

looked settled at all in this match. -- break. As John Part said in the

studio, if he gets a good rate he could get going again. --break. A

good opportunity here now. It is noticeable that he is starting

to pick up the place. He still has this red to the left corner. But he

did not want to be going after the blue. If he can stay in position for

the black on the inside, he could just -- he is just beginning to pick

up the pace which I feel he needs to do. And he does fluctuate in shot

time, which is normal for him. Maybe 20 seconds normally, but with Neil

sometimes it can be 20, sometimes up to 28 seconds in matches. His

average shot time has been very quick and it is quite noticeable.

Not more than ten seconds per shot at the moment so maybe he feels as

though he wants to pick up the pace to get something going. He has been

stopping and starting throughout this match. This -- missing that

pink in the last round was certainly disappointing.

As you said John, sometimes he overcomplicate things like taking

too much time and is looking at too many shots instead of forced

instinct, first shot you see, it you play. I don't blame him taking time

over this now because, he is up to three minutes with this rate.

--break. OK he has not got the right side of the blue but with the red on

the baulk line, there is no problem. This loo will put him 23 points

ahead. --blue. He is going to need to map read, two colours, not high

value colours. --two reds. Not a formality at all. It is a bit tidy

between either of those reds but anywhere between those reds between

the cushion there he will certainly have a go. Just cut the red. As soon

as this goes into the yellow pocket or the left of centre, he is 29

ahead, so red and blue or red and black would be enough for him to

lead in the Snuka. --snooker. Sorry, red and black king needs

because red and blue would not be enough. Excellent shot. There will

be no heroics on the black here. Just pop the black and you are 37

and head. Drops the black in and play a double on the red. Well

played, then. He can make a century now . It

didn't look likely when the loan pots were not going in but he took a

risk which I don't blame him for doing. He is a great potter. But

when you miss when you are in, you do not get away with it. Blue, pink

and black for his first century of the match.

Just what the doctor ordered, isn't it, for Neil Robertson here? Yes,

nice shot. Well played. That will make him feel

better, he certainly got going there, got a nice rhythm. Mark Allen

disappointed he missed the red in the middle. Now the Australian

levels, at 3-3. It was a lot better. A little thin, and the blue will not

come to his rescue. A chance for this red, of course, be black is not

on its lot. It does not make it an easy opportunity to score heavily.

But he forced it to and he finished nicely on the blue. Normally I would

suggest the cannon but the pink is separated slightly from the red. You

would have to catch the pink perfect to open the reds up. In the end, he

played just past the pink. I did not like that shot. He could have hit it

a lot harder than this. You would expect him to at least hit one red,

but there was plenty of room to hit that an awful lot harder.

Sometimes, particularly with the black knot on its spot, maybe play

for the loose red. He has played for the tight and he has got it! I was

thinking if he played for the open red, got the black on its spot and

then open up the red. This was out of the blue. But no luck. A nice a

snooker, but... While I say it should be easy to come off the side

cushion but Neil has played a few of these shot and underhit them. He

does not want to underhit this one. -- shots. You are right, he has

underhit it again. A couple of nice kisses as their.

--kisses there. A nice angle on the red just below

the black. He wants to break some more red into play here. --reds.

This will open things are up. --things up. Just making sure he is

connecting with those red. --reds. From a straightforward as gate you

would have to add meat from Neil Robertson that he left the cue ball

short. --position. --admit. There was the swerve from the beginning.

Right side of the blue, maybe for the red that is close to the pink

spot. Not absolutely inch perfect with his

positional play and he does not really want to be playing for the

black because the black will be Mr Bull and he wants to concentrate on

blue and pink IT he is not getting inch perfect position on the red

will . He should be able to hold this for the blue will stop if you

go for the blue you need the right angle, and he has done that .

Again, short of pace. He would have loved to have been closer to this

red. He would want to be closer to the cue ball -- with the cue ball.

It is not straightforward. It is OK and he has a slight angle

on the pink. It is just past the three hour mark now for this match.

The standard, as we have said, a little below what we expected I

think there might be a few more twists and turns before we know who

the winner is. And whoever loses this match will be

very disappointed with their performance. Neal obviously will not

be happy at all. Some of the pots he has missed... Amazing. If this

stops, it is a perfect positional shot. That is the shot of the

match. Inch perfect. As you said, this didn't look like

it was much trouble. You couldn't have left anything. This has been

the result. 68 points ahead. Bit of a bash on the red. Shouldn't make

any difference. Neil Robertson is looking at the scoreboard thinking,

is it worth carrying on? Still thinking. He is decided to have a

go. At the moment, it is five snooker is needed. If he knocks this

into the corner from which it can get through to, that will be and a

friend. -- frame. He will be preparing for the next frame it now.

It will see him through to the second round. Begrudgingly potting

these balls. That's what happens. You don't want it, and then they go

in. If only it was like there's while the frame was alive. If only

it was this easy. Amazing when there is no pressure, how easy it looks.

It went in any way! He knew the frame was well over, and he is just

one frame away from a place in the second round as he leads by a

friend. -- frame. Not a great break. Good opener. It is in the mid-

distance this time. Good shot. He could have been

forgiven, but it went in. He has a nice angle on the black. He is going

to get chances, but you have to take them. No excuse for missing that. He

has to play this with a lot of pace. The red has come out into the

middle. For a minute I thought he wouldn't be on anything. Look at the

amount of peace he put into that. The red coming over the right centre

has come to his rescue. He would love to get the black back

on its spot at some stage, wouldn't he? He could play for the red, but

knew he wouldn't be at the perfect angle for it. It's not a

straightforward positional shot. Did pretty well though. Lots of

right-hand side to keep it away from the cushion. He might be able to

drop the blue in otherwise you will have to look at options. He has come

into a bit of luck here. The red is close. If the pink is not

available, where does the colour come from? If he can pot the red and

leave the cue ball where it is now, the pink will go to the right

centre. Has he hit it hard enough? When the balls are so close

together, it makes the pots difficult. How many balls as he

underhit? He hasn't been with it. It's as though his arm is just not

insuring with the rest of his body today. It can happen to the best of

them. If the black was on its spot and the frame would have a

match-winning opportunity. There would be a chance to build a

sizeable lead. How many chances do you need? How many chances are you

going to get? That's surprising. Great opportunity for Mark Allen.

Great play. Finishing the ghost of a corner. This is tougher Neil

Robertson. I don't think he is happy playing with the rest. He played

that one nicely. Will probably play the yellow. He could play the

black, but not guaranteed to get good position. If that pink goes

into the left centre, he might get it at the cue to whether reds are

now. Canon wasn't on the red. Cleverly held the spot there. Used

the cue ball to hold the pink spot. The pink should go on the black spot

now. Ideally, he would like to be on the

pink to the left corner. He has to use a bit of the left-hand side. He

didn't do that. The reason I say that is it would have been easy to

move one of the reds out of the way for his next pot. He is having a

look at the red directly above the pink. If it pockets, it is OK. The

pink spot will now be available. Wrong side of the blue. The pink

does go. Right in the heart of the pocket. He is still on this red. It

is a must get. If he plays this well, he could win the frame from

this position. It hasn't worked out the way he would have liked. Can't

believe he played the runthrough. At least with screw, you don't come to

the top cushion. He has a 30 point lead. He can look at the bright side

and say at least he has the pink safe. He may have an opportunity to

make the yellow safe as well. It can make the 30 point lead a little

bigger. He is trying to knock the green on the side cushion. The only

problem I would have let that shot is that Mark Allen is a left-handed

player. Putting the green on the right-hand side is on his side. I

would rather have made the yellow safe. For a left-hander, it is more

difficult. Looks too thin. Not a lot of pressure, it has to be said. The

red to the right corner is the one he has chosen. In the heart of the

pockets. He is looking for this column. One more red in the colour

and he will be into a decider. And you got the feeling it was always

going to go that way. Particularly when they went in at two a piece. It

was hard to pick a winner from the outset of the match. I always

thought it was any gas six single dash for Mac.

51 remaining. He still needs one more red. I think the reason why am

saying that it will go to a decider is because they don't play that

consistently and don't assert themselves. Mark Allen has always

been one frame in front but hasn't capitalised on it. I have found that

quite strange. This red will take us to the decider frame. He missed it.

Mark Allen can still win the frame without needing snooker. Does he

have the opportunity here? He needs to get behind the pink. If he can

get the cue behind the pink, it will be ideal. The one thing you don't

want to do is leave him a chance of a pot. That is what he has done. He

didn't play it. He had the pink and green as insurance, and yet he

refused a frame ball. That to me tells me that he isn't very

confident. And with some of the balls he has missed, why would he

be? He will go for this one. It is certain now. It will go to a

deciding frame. That is enough for Mark Allen. Neil Robertson keeps

picking him back. Final should a coming up -- shootout coming up.

Just over three hours and 20 minutes of the match time. The perfect

climax. We all love a decider. That is a poor safety shot. A long way

away from that. Tried to drag it on. Of the two players, Robertson would

be a little more confident. Particularly after the last round.

He really should have put this much to bed. The first chance for Neil

Robertson. Quite a good pot because you put it into a blind pocket. This

is the ideal opportunity. You have a couple of open rounds and rates. --

reds. He is not world number one and reigning UK champion. A lot of

things going for him, Neil. First opportunity to bring some more reds

into play. He needs the cue ball to slow down. He wanted the cue ball

out in the middle of the table. He went into it too much. Needless to

say, there is pressure. The yellow is difficult enough in itself. That

middle pocket is enough to put you off the shot. It take your eye off

it a little bit. Been looking to make the most of this opportunity.

He didn't want to play the safety shot, and yet he is looking at it.

Very disappointed if he stops now. Playing safe. He doesn't want the

yellow to go in. It's a safety, but he will be disappointed he didn't

make more from that opportunity. That is marks of view. Any ideas,

Ken? Just wondering whether this is possible. To fight the cushion and

backup table. -- divide. It is a way out. If you do read that thing, you

might not get to the wrong corner. That red will be going into the pack

of reds. He is looking at a possible plant. It has to be a three ball

plant. As you say, it will have to be a three ball plant. He has

thought of something else. A tough shot, this. Trade to pot his way out

of trouble. A red will cut to the right. Could have been a lot worse.

The fact that the red has gone over to the left-hand pocket. Where is

his colour going to come from? If he screws it directly back, it will

look like it's going to the outside cushion. You could take the one to

the outside cushion. You could take the want of that. Again, it makes

the plant a little more difficult. He might just trade its cushions and

go for the pink. Mark Allen could have left something easier than

this. Just tried to pot his way out of trouble.

He could take the red and try make the plant because it is much more

straightforward to get your position on the next colour. The dead

straight red, it's not. Talk about putting all your eggs in one

basket. I thought it wasn't a bad idea if you played with some pace.

To play for the pink, that was risking it all. A bit of good

fortune for Mark Allen. It could win him this match. Like the role of a

dice. -- roll. Well, just when you thought you had

seen everything in this match. Forgive me for saying so, he didn't

have to screw that. He could have used the side cushion. When you get

cushion, you have a bit more control. He had the angle to use the

cushion. Sometimes when you screw back, that's what can happen. We

can't be too critical because a place in the quarter-final is at

stake. The thinking isn't always clear with what has happened earlier

on in the match. This is exactly what he did. A bit more control

there. He is going to cover it and be very careful. He has gone for the

ball. What a shot that was! What a pot that was. Unbelievable.

After a pot like that, he deserves it. It's just about on this red. If

he swerves it, a slight swerve will get it into the centre. While

played. Just wondering will the pot and to this pocket. If it doesn't,

he may hold it. Put the blue on the blackspot.

That wasn't a position shot. There are nerves out there. Doesn't want

to kiss the yellow ball. He is nothing if he does. It was a

positional shot off the pink which I just can't believe he did. Didn't

lead himself straight onto the red. It is nerves though. We sometimes

forget because we have said in a commentary box. Vicinity played the

shot -- as soon as he. He has to cover the red. Over the left-hand

corner pocket. He will lead the cue ball close to the red.

I assume he means touching ball on the red. He won't have the balls

replaced. I would make him play from the position it was. It was touching

ball, so what was he going to do? He has to play away from the red. The

mind doesn't automatically think as it should. No way should he have

this replaced. The fact that it was touching the red. Mark Allen would

have to play away because it would be a push shot. Now it's touching

ball. Can you get past the pink. He can get through to it. An

outstanding on the pink. Unbelievable turnaround. Slightly

hampered by the black. Pink goes into the bottom right-hand corner

pocket as well as the centre. This blue will tie the scores. It's all

level. Mark Allen will have to hope that something goes wrong from Neil

Robertson. That was a major kick, and maybe a lifeline for Mark Allen.

Everything is happening in the scheme. -- in this game. Puts a bit

of pressure on the shot. Just about OK on this pink. That one

is right in the heart of the pocket. I don't think the black will come

into the equation. The chances he has had. A bit at Pearl to swallow.

Because the yellow is adjacent to the left middle, he won't be too

bothered about thinking about putting the lack now to get 28

points in front. Red and a black will put him in front. It is

absolutely and. Perfect. Mark Allen has played his last shot in this

year 's Masters. It is a cruel game sometimes. He potted a green that

looked like he would win the match. And then just a lapse of

concentration and easy middle. Neil Robertson got his chance. The Brown

now means 48. It's a repeat of last year in the quarter-final. Neil

Robertson beat Mark Allen. It is deja vu. Mark Allen will be

absolutely distraught. Neil Robertson did the same, but he can

move onwards and upwards, because the world number one somehow is in

the second round. He wins. It is Neil Robertson makes it to the

quarter-final where he will meet Stephen Maguire. That is it from

us, but we will have more coverage later today as we concentrate on

Shaun Murphy.