John Higgins breathed a huge sigh of relief after coming from behind to secure a place in his fourth World Championship final against Shaun Murphy at the Crucible.

Higgins, from Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, resumed play against Mark Allen on Saturday 15-9 down but never looked back after starting the day with 106.

The two-time world champion held his nerve and despite a small Allen fight back went on to win 17-3.

And Higgins admitted he had to beat off growing distractions to book a place in the final against Murphy.

"It was a complete relief to get to the final, I was just thinking I could easily throw this away here.

"I was looking at the football schedule and thinking about having the day off and watching the football.

"All sorts of negative thoughts crept in but I held strong, all credit to Mark though he will come back and win one day."