Joe Perry produced some of his best snooker this season to book his place in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship.

The Gentleman beat number six seed Mark Allen 6-4 to claim a spot in the last eight for the first time since 2009.

Allen made a steady start but Perry edged the opening frame. The Chatteris cueman then turned on the style and racked up his third century break of the tournament to take the second frame.

Allen pulled a frame back but Perry capitalised on a mistake to take the fourth 70-10.

The Northern Irishman produced an excellent break of 135 after the interval but Perry soon re-established a two-frame lead.

Allen battled until the end but Perry had too much quality and closed out an impressive victory at the York Barbican.

“It was a great game, the best I have played in a long time,” said Perry, whose quarter-final tie takes place tomorrow (8).

“I felt comfortable out there and played snooker all the way through until the end when I collapsed like a cheap tent.

“It’s a big win for me and I’ve got to try to keep playing to that level.”