The reds see a greater spread. Ronnie sees one that goes....

Cagey start. The Rocket knows destiny waits, the Pistol knows one more mistake could be his last. A chap in grey on the front row has a noddy, sleepy head. Wake up, sir. You could soon be seeing a moment of history.

Sophie: Wouldn’t you just love it if this went to 9-9?

Settle down, take your seats. Ronnie O'Sullivan breaks in frame 15.

Image source, PA

The maximum wasn't to be, but it was more important for Mark Allen to keep this match alive. Ronnie O'Sullivan's moment of history must wait for one more frame at least.

Tenth red missed! Huge round of applause, even from O'Sullivan.

There are still 75 on the table, too...

Nine and nine. There's £20,000 for a 147.

Eight and eight. There's one potentially trick red over by the left middle pocket, but other than that, the rest pot themselves. The crowd know it's on, too.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at the York Barbican

These balls could not be placed any better...

Five reds, five blacks. The extra four points were from an earlier O'Sullivan foul.

Long red missed by an even longer distance by the Rocket. Allen looks hamstrung by the resulting touching ball, but rolls in a free red with the aid of a rest. Reds and blacks deliciously placed here.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

Tournament-winning clearance for me. The pink was just superb, he made it look so easy. I think he makes difficult looking clearances look easy anyway but that was such a difficult shot being close to the cushion.

O'Sullivan takes a short break and returns to roars. Mark Allen breaks. Every shot the Northern Irishman plays could be his last.

Image source, PA

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Every time Mark Allen looks like he has a little inkling something like that clearance from Ronnie happens. When he gets close, Ronnie just pulls away again.

What a clearance! Mark Allen was a ball or two from 8-5, instead Ronnie O'Sullivan move to within one of history.

Someone call the engraver. He'll soon be busy.

A black along the bottom cushion. Can he do the same with the final red? It's there! Just the colours, pretty much on their spots. This is 9-4, surely...

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at the York Barbican

We've ticked past 9pm which means it's game over for the newspaper journalists, their work is consigned to the second editions.

Ronnie O'Sullivan hangs on in there. Three reds left. He'll need to keep the colours of a high value. If he steals this frame, Mark Allen will need a Tyson Fury-style comeback.

Allen 58 ahead, 67 on the table. The Northern Irishman is stuck behind the green just past the baulk line. One foul gives four to the Rocket. The ref asks for quiet. He might soon be advising some of the coughers to see a doctor.

It's a fair point. Think how much you might cough in a normal day. Not often, is it? Go into a silent snooker arena and it's like you smoke 60 a day.