All square in Scotch semi

After a cautious beginning, Maguire racked up a 85 to set the crowd in Sheffield's venerable Crucible theatre murmuring about his chances of causing an upset.

Higgins was not perturbed and put on 55 in frame two before looking to make the cue ball safe. He failed and his opponent potted a tricky red to middle as he came back with 45.

The players returned to the table several times before Maguire missed on the brown and Higgins did enough to win the frame from there, although he needed two attempts on the pink - the successful pocket long and difficult.

There followed a riveting spell of snooker from the world number nine. In winning two consecutive frames he did not give a single point away to the number four, the first including a 102 break and the second 79.

After the 15-minute break Higgins managed a run of 113, the highest of the match so far, to pull one back before levelling matters with all the colours to spare.

Frame seven was highly tactical. Not a point was scored for over ten minutes and referee Jan Verhaas must have considered re-racking the balls before Maguire managed 42 on bounce, enough to regain the lead going into the final frame.

The crowd, players and everyone watching on television must have been acutely aware of the importance of the last frame of the day. The psychological advantage to be gained overnight for either Maguire two frames up or Higgins once again on equal terms was evident.

Higgins it was who took it to 4-4, 84 ahead on the baize although there was not a heady break to accompany it.

The match is all set up for Friday.