Mark Allen predicts an upturn in fortunes after World Snooker Championship exit

On cue: Mark Allen had chances to reach last eight

By Martin Kelly

Mark Allen has pledged to come back stronger after his World Championship last 16 exit against Barry Hawkins at the Crucible.

The Ulsterman was in control of the match until letting things slip in the latter stages, eventually going down 13-11 in the £1.4million showpiece event.

"The match summed up my season - in spells I was great but overall I came up short," Allen reflected.

"It's another season wasted because I know I'm better than that.

"The one disadvantage I've had is that (coach) Terry Griffiths has not been in my corner this season.

"People don't realise how influential he is for me. He was working with Barry (Hawkins) and maybe if he had been in my dressing room at 11-9 it might have been different.

"But I'm back working with Terry next season which will be massive for me, and I promise you I'll win a lot more tournaments."

On the match itself, Allen said: "I didn't do a lot wrong but, at the latter stages, you have to do a lot more right than I did.

"The last session was frustrating. Barry did a good job and froze me out. Any chances I had were half-chances and the balls were awkward.

"Barry did very well and I was probably average. But it should have been over after the first 20 frames. I felt Barry was hanging on," he added.

"I should have gone 10-6 up and that would have been a pretty commanding lead.

"And I also had a good chance to go 12-8 up as well and these are the things that can cost you.

"As the match went on Barry got stronger and I got weaker so credit to Barry," he said.

Ronnie O'Sullivan needs just one more frame to beat Matthew Stevens - conqueror of Belfast's Joe Swail in the last qualifying round - and reach the quarter-finals. The Rocket leads 12-4, the match resuming tonight.