Hendry to meet McManus in semis

Stephen Hendry admitted home favourite Mark Allen's 'no-lose' situation caused him problems as he ground out a win to reach the semi-final of the Northern Ireland Trophy.

World amateur champion Allen lost to seven-time world champion Hendry, beaten 5-1 in their quarter-final clash at the Waterfront Hotel in Belfast.

But after losing out to one of the most experienced players in the world, Allen can take heart from a successful international tour debut which has seen him beat six-time world champion Steve Davis and last year's British Open winner John Higgins.

Hendry took a close first frame by a 61-58 margin, neither player having compiled a break of note, before Allen rattled in a 57 run to draw all square.

However, that was as good as it got for the youngster as Hendry reeled off four frames in succession to win the match and book his place in the semi-finals, where he will now meet fellow Scot Alan McManus.

Breaks of 44, 51 and 54 gave the Scot victory over his 19-year-old opponent.

"It was a scrappy game," admitted Hendry. "There wasn't too much to be pleased about apart from the fact that I won. It was tough for me because I was expected to win while Mark had nothing to lose.

"I was trying to settle down but I couldn't really find a groove. After the second frame my only target was to win the match."

He added: "My work with Terry (Griffiths) has focussed on how I strike the object ball because I was often hitting it thick last season. There are bound to be a few bad ones while I get used to it, but when it's good it feels very good."

World amateur champion Allen looked set to win the first frame after Hendry had gone in-off the final pink. But the world number two laid a tough snooker and then potted pink and black after Allen had narrowly failed to escape.

The Ulsterman did level with his 57 break, but Hendry made his experience tell. Both players missed several simple pots in frame four, Hendry eventually taking it with a yellow-to-pink clearance.

And the Malta Cup champion wrapped up the match in the next with a 32 clearance from last red to black.

Meanwhile, Glasgow's McManus fired his way to a 5-1 victory over Joe Swail, ending local interest with the Irishman's exit.

McManus won the opening frame with a break of 50 then pinched the second with a 32 clearance.

Contributions of 40 and 50 put the world number 12 3-0 up before two-time world semi-finalist Swail cleared from blue to black for 3-1.

McManus compiled a special 140 total clearance to extend his lead and settled the tie with 45 and 40 in frame six, the match lasting 1h 46mins 30 secs.