John Higgins reeled off a 147 break but slumped out of the UK Championship in York
John Higgins nailed a 147 maximum but bowed out 6-5 to Mark Davis at the UK Championship in York.
Last Updated: 05/12/12 11:48pm
The four-time world champion stood on the brink of defeat at 5-2 down before starting the comeback with his seventh competitive 147.
The 37-year-old Scot earned a £10,000 bonus for what was his second maximum of the season, making it look easy with the white under control throughout.
He then clawed his way back to 5-5 to force a decider but it was Davis who got in first, moving into a 53-0 lead with a controlled break of 39.
However, he allowed Higgins back in and after a fine red to the top-left pocket the Scot appeared set to clear up for a sensational comeback win.
But he continued to lose position on the colours and it caught up with him when he tried to force a fairly simple pink, and Davis could breath again.
After a series of safety shots, Davis was left with an outside chance of a long pink but he took it with aplomb to send Higgins crashing out.
On the other table, Australian Neil Robertson was largely untroubled by Barry Hawkins as he beat the Kent man 6-2, aided by breaks of 57, 67 and a closing 68.
The 2010 world champion will tackle Mark Selby in the last eight on Thursday with a semi-final place at stake.