Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Northern Ireland Trophy at the expense of former UK and European Open champion Stephen Maguire.
Scot Maguire slipped 4-0 behind despite Doherty managing a high break of just 61, but hit back in cool fashion with a top break of 74 to level the match at 4-4.
But the Milton cueman suffered heartache in the deciding frame after a brave comeback. Doherty dug deep and snatched the last frame of their best-of-nine tussle to progress.
The popular Dubliner now plays either last season's Masters and Grand Prix winner John Higgins or teenage Chinese prodigy Ding Junhui, winner of the 2005 China Open and the current defending UK champion.
Earlier, Ronnie O'Sullivan wasted little time in reaching the quarter-finals.
The Rocket cruised to a 5-2 victory over Welshman Matthew Stevens at the Waterfront Hall, earning himself a showdown with another Welsh dragon, Ryan Day in the next round.
And following his win, O'Sullivan, who has been trying to make a name for himself on the American pool circuit, said: 'I've tried to bring a bit of pool into my game. The important thing is to enjoy myself. I went for my shots, but didn't go for silly shots. I shouldn't play another way, that's what I've always done.'
A two-time world champion, O'Sullivan sunk breaks of 46, 48, 49, 40 and 44 to fight back from 2-1 down to lead 4-2.
The Chigwell potter then knocked in runs of 71 and 103 in the last two frames respectively to make sure he progressed.
‘My game is about having fun - and I had fun out there,’ he added. ‘I'd been much happier having a barbecue than having a long slog of a match.’
O'Sullivan's next opponent, Day, also impressed, knocking out good friend and practice partner Mark Williams, who became the second Welsh man to bow on day five of this year's championship.
The Bridgend potter pocketed breaks of 99, 60, 79, 72 and 49, while last year's China Open winner Williams managed a high break of just 47 on the way to suffering a 5-2 defeat.
