Northern-Irishman Mark Allen will face three-time world champion John Higgins in the semi-finals of the UK Snooker Championship in Telford.

Australian Neil Robertson overslept and almost missed the last session of his quarter-final tie. [File photo]

The other semi-final will take place between former world champions Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy.

The line-up was decided after the conclusion of the quarter-final ties last night.

Mark Allen overcame Ronnie O'Sullivan's conqueror Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals in a close fought match which ended 9-7. Allen had previously eliminated defending champion Ding Junhui of China.

John Higgins came through a stern quarter-final test against fellow Scot Stephen Maguire, while Mark Williams defeated England’s world number 60, Mark Joyce.

In the remaining quarter-final clash Shaun Murphy beat reigning world champion Neil Robertson. The famously absent-minded Australian had overslept and was still in bed 20 minutes before the final session of their match got underway.

The final is scheduled for Sunday night.