YORK star Ashley Hugill stands just one win away from a first appearance in the World Snooker Championship main draw after an incredible comeback victory.
World number 77 Hugill came from 5-2 down to defeat Martin Gould, ranked at 20, 6-5 in their third round qualifier.
Hugill will now face former Welsh open semi-finalist and world ranked 52 Joe O'Connor tomorrow (11am) in a best of 19 match for a place in the World Champion-ship main draw.
It seemed as if Hugill's Crucible ambitions were over as ex-German Masters champion Gould made the dream start.
He hit three half-century breaks en route to leading 3-0, then 4-1 and 5-2 to put himself on the brink of victory.
Hugill hit back with his first 50-plus break of 68 in the eighth before winning 63-1 in the next frame.
A back-and-forth 10th narrowly went Hugill's way at 76-53 to tee up a decider in which the York talent held his nerve by producing breaks of 53 and 52 to secure the victory.
A win over O'Connor would see Hugill into the main draw of the World Championships after five previous unsuccessful attempts in qualifying.
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