Allen is out to prey on foe Perry’s weaknesses in quarter-final bid

EXPLOITING Joe Perry’s inner demons is high on Mark Allen’s agenda as he sets his sights on a first quarter-final at the Betway UK Championship since 2013.

Allen brushed aside Lucas Kleckers in round one before taking out the son and father duo of Oliver and Peter Lines on the baize in York.

The Northern Ireland potter now faces Perry for a place in the last eight after the 22nd seed dumped out Kurt Maflin.

Perry confessed he has been struggling with his confidence after almost throwing away a 4-0 lead against Maflin and Allen admits he’ll be looking to play on those nagging doubts.

He said: “I’m surprised (about Perry’s confidence struggles). Every time I’ve seen him play he does well and scores heavily but you never know what’s going on in the mind. Hopefully I can get those demons to come out a bit.

“It’s another tough match. I think Joe needs to go deep here to get into the Masters so he’ll be under pressure a little bit. But at the same time the Masters is probably the least of his worries.”

Allen struggled on home turf last month at the Northern Ireland Open, crashing out to China’s Tian Pengfei in the second round.

And the former UK Championship semi-finalist admits the pressure got to him in Belfast.

He said: “My form has been pretty steady. I’ve scored well in the first two but my long game was good in my third match and I made some good safety shots so hopefully I can combine the two.

“I feel so relaxed out there. The pressure of Belfast two weeks ago was something else but I can come here and let my arm go. It’s something I’m going to have to get used to year on year I guess.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan enjoyed his 42nd birthday in style as he swept aside Welshman Michael White 6-1.

• Watch LIVE coverage of the UK Championship on Eurosport and Eurosport Player with Colin Murray and analysis from Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.