ALLEN WIDE OF THE MARK AFTER UK TRIUMPH

MARK ALLEN was brought back down to earth yesterday following his UK Championship triumph.

The 36-year-old (left) claimed the first major of the season with a 10-7 comeback win against Ding Junhui on Sunday night.

Many were surprised that player of the season Allen did not skip this week’s German Masters qualifiers after his exertions at York’s Barbican Centre.

But the world No.5 will not be heading to Berlin in January after he wearily crashed to a 5-0 defeat to Chinese amateur Zhao Jianbo in Leicester.

Zhao pounced on every error, knocking in breaks of 85, 58, 61 and 77.

And Allen said on social media: “No miracle comeback... had absolutely nothing left there.

“High break of 15 in that match. Home tonight and back to practice tomorrow.

“Few days to chill then off to Edinburgh for the Scottish Open on Sunday.”