Michael Holt survived a moment of madness before setting up a second round clash with Stephen Hendry at the Welsh Open in Newport.
The notoriously nervy Holt looked to have lost the plot when he careered the cue ball off a cushion into the pack of reds at high speed after being called for three successive misses while snookered in the deciding frame of his contest with Irishman Joe Delaney.
It meant Delaney was left with an easy starter and he appeared to be in control when he moved 60 points ahead before breaking down to throw Holt a lifeline.
Both players then had chances before world number 24 Holt held himself together to clinch a dramatic 5-4 victory on the pink courtesy of a 31 clearance.
'I got away with it,' said Holt, who had led 4-1 at one stage. 'I must have missed 10 zillion chances to win it. Basically, I just twitched up a dozen times.
'I lack a bit of confidence sometimes. I know I'm playing well but I'm trying so hard to start getting results.
'I was frustrated. Sometimes it just gets to you. I'm doing all the right things off the table but I know I'm lucky to have got away with this. I feel bad for Joe because he should have won in the end.'
Holt made breaks of 54, 52 and 58 on the way to building his 4-1 advantage but missed several key balls as the winning line approached.
Delaney, who made his debut in the televised phase of the World Championship last season, fashioned runs of 71 and 53 in forcing the decider but was himself guilty of errors after taking the lead.
Holt beat Hendry in the 2003 LG Cup at Preston and is hopeful another shock victory will be the catalyst for greater success.
'I'm looking forward to playing Stephen,' he said. 'I've beaten him before but that won't bother him.
'I want to push on. I know I'm playing well enough to do well but I need a result.'
