Home favourite Mark Allen held his nerve to beat England's Ben Woollaston and set up a last 16 match against Cork man Aaron Hill at the Northern Ireland Open.
Antrim native Allen, who had beaten Robert Milkins in the opening round, was taken to a final frame decider by Woollaston at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast but the ninth seed ultimately prevailed, potting the last red to win 4-3 and advance.
In-form Hill, 23, had booked his place in the last 16 after edging out Barry Hawkins by the same score on Tuesday.
Another Antrim man, Jordan Brown, also made his way through after cruising past English amateur Ashley Hugill by a 4-0 margin.
He credited the home support in the venue for aiding his cause, telling the World Snooker Tour: "The crowd has been amazing this week and they've certainly given me a lift in the first game and this (against Hugill). It doesn't get much better. The Waterfront is just a special place to play."
Brown will now face the 2005 world champion and 13th seed Shaun Murphy, with the winner of their encounter going on to face either Allen or Hill in the quarter-finals.
