He beat the reigning world champion, but Joe Perry was unable to add the Masters champion to his list of scalps.

Cambs Times: Joe Perry during his World Championships second round match against Mark Allen. Picture: TONY RUSHMERJoe Perry during his World Championships second round match against Mark Allen. Picture: TONY RUSHMER (Image: Archant)

The Chatteris cueman bowed out of the Betfred World Championship at the second-round stage last Friday night following a 13-8 defeat to Mark Allen.

The two players were deadlocked at 8-8 before Northern Irishman Allen reeled off five successive frames in the closing session – punishing a number of mistakes from Perry and making two century breaks in the process.

Perry, who famously dumped out holder Mark Selby in the opening round, could not cause another shock at The Crucible, in Sheffield.

Perry, the oldest player in the tournament at 43, said: “I’ve proved to myself that on my day I’m good enough to beat anybody.

“Unfortunately, inconsistency is probably what’s stopped me winning more trophies in my career.

“Every now and then I throw in one of these bad performances and fall short. I know that when it all comes together, I’m good enough to beat anybody and maybe win a tournament.

“I’ve got to take that and just keep working. Hopefully I’ll have another one of those dream days somewhere down the line.”

Perry earned £27,500 for his second-round exit.