Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen and Joe Swail are on the brink of qualification from the group stage of the Little Swan World Cup after a 3-2 win over Scotland in Wuxi.

Northern Ireland have tasted success at the World Cup before having reached the final in 2011, where Allen and Gerard Greene were runners-up to China’s Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo.

They faced a crunch group D tie with Scotland today, who were seen by many as pre-tournament favourites. Three-time ranking winner Allen ignited what was a high quality tie in the second frame with a  break of 133 to level the scores at 1-1. The world number 10 stepped up to the plate again in a deciding frame at 2-2, compiling a run of 84 to get his side over the line.

“It feels good but I want to be number one after five matches not four,” said Allen. “It was very nerve wracking. I don’t know how I managed my century. Although it is probably harder watching when you aren’t in control. Then it is up to your partner.”