Judd Trump survives late-night thriller with Chris Wakelin to reach last 16

World number 55 Wakelin forced a decider against the world number four and 2011 finalist as Trump teetered on the brink of going out in the first round in Sheffield a year after losing to world number 61 Rory McLeod at the same stage.

Trump was 8-4 clear at 8pm (BST), but was still battling for his life at 11:21pm with the match coming down to the final green, and Nuneaton's Crucible debutant Wakelin battling to achieve the one snooker that would have kept him alive.

Finally, Trump fell over the line by slotting brown and blue, but he was desperately fortunate to escape another early elimination.

In truth, Wakelin had several chances to end Trump's hopes in the final frame, but squandered multiple scoring opportunities with the balls at his mercy after a clearly struggling Trump had missed two blues to a middle pocket and an easy red late in the frame.

Trump's head appeared to be scrambled after missing the black in the 18th frame to a middle pocket for a 10-8 victory as Wakelin holed from distance to force the match the distance.

Trump will face Ricky Walden in the last 16, but will need to improve dramatically if he is going to challenge to win a first World Championship that his early promise has always hinted at.

The Bristol player produced 57 for an 8-4 advantage after a 65 was not enough to win the 11th frame, but Wakelin won the next four frames boosted by knocks of 68 and 51.

A 51 helped Trump move one up with a possible two frames to play, but a 61 could not steer him over the line in the 18th frame until he finally edged a nerve-ridden decider.