SNOOKER: Stuart Bingham surged into the second round of the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship after staging a stunning fightback to beat Mark Williams.

The Basildon based Bingham seemed to be heading out when he trailed 5-2 However, after an opening seven frames where both players struggled to produce their best, Bingham summoned a brilliant blitz to pip three-time World Champion Williams at the post.

Both players arrived in York under contrasting circumstances. Bingham had to negotiate qualifying to earn his place in the final stages, while world number six Williams arrived riding the crest of a wave after winning the Champion of Champions for the first time in his career.

Victory earns Bingham a last 16 tie against Zhang Anda as he continues his quest to complete the Triple Crown with a maiden UK Championship win. Defeat for two-time UK Champion Williams means he will have to wait for a first UK title since 2002.

Both players were missing balls in the early part of the match, but it was Williams who gained the strongest foothold. The 26-time ranking event winner top scored with 72 on his way to the verge of victory at 5-2.

Bingham embarked on a 147 attempt in the eighth, stringing together a run of 57 before missing the eighth black.

Eventually he left Williams requiring snookers.

He got two and a free ball, which allowed the 49-year-old back into the frame.

Williams had a chance to tie and force a re-spot.

However, a swerved long range pot on the green was enough to keep Bingham alive at 5-3.

The Basildon cueman continued to push and turned up the heat on Williams with runs of 79 and 82 to force an unlikely final frame decider.

It was Bingham with the momentum and breaks of 32 and 36 saw him boss the final frame and secure a magnificent fightback win.

Bingham told the World Snooker website: “He struggled as much as I did early on. I was gifting him a few frames, but I knew my game was in there somewhere.

“I just tried to be patient. It felt embarrassing some of the misses. I’m more shocked than anyone that I’m victorious.

“Finally something clicked. From 5-2 I didn’t really put a foot wrong. I had a bit of luck here and there. I played a safety shot and it went in. I made a 70 odd off that. Even that was a bit embarrassing. It was just one of those matches.

“I could see him struggling and I thought I needed to get my head together. I know I’ve been playing well. It was nice to win a match from 5-2 down against someone like Mark.”