Liang Wenbo made a maximum break at Betfred World Championship Qualifying in Sheffield, then remarkably missed the final black for another 147 just two frames later.

The maximum came in the tenth frame of his first round clash with Rod Lawler, putting him in line to earn a £10,000 bonus, plus the £1,000 high break prize. It was the third 147 of Liang’s career and second of the season, having made one at the English Open.

In the 12th frame just a few minutes later, China’s Liang potted 15 reds with blacks then cleared the colours up to the black, only to miss a tricky pot to a top corner pocket, cueing from close to the side cushion. Had he potted the black, the world number 19 would have become the first player ever to make two maximums in the same match.

“It was a very good chance but it was a pressure black and not a very good angle,” said 31-year-old Liang. “I need to calm down before my next match. I need to focus on my game and concentrate.”

His run of 140 sealed a 10-2 victory over Lawler and put him into round two at the English Institute of Sport, needing two more wins to reach the Crucible.

The maximum was the 139th in snooker history and eighth of the season.