Snooker: Angry Maguire battles to last eight in Belfast
Defending champion Stephen Maguire and two-time world champion John Higgins booked their places in the Northern Ireland Trophy quarter-finals.
Both Scottish potters triumphed at Belfast's Waterfront Hall, but while Higgins cruised to a 5-1 win over Chinese qualifier Liang Wenbo, Maguire had to battle back from 4-2 down to another Scot, Alan McManus, before triumphing 5-4.
Maguire was unhappy he did not play on the main TV table, instead Higgins was given top billing, and refused to do his post-match press-conference.
McManus led 3-1 at the mid-session interval but Maguire rallied and won the last three frames on the bounce courtesy of breaks of 115, 48 and 61.
Ronnie O'Sullivan was nowhere near his sparkling best but he was good value for a 5-3 victory over player Joe Perry. The 'Rocket' compiled breaks of 132, 54, 66 and 81 .
