David Gilbert proved he deserves to be in the semi-finals of the World Championship by taking a 5-3 lead over John Higgins.

Having never won a professional tournament in his career, Gilbert, 37, was a huge underdog ahead of the contest and is on offer at 1.85 to progress to the final.

Higgins, who is also priced at 1.85 to win the match, is seeking a fifth Crucible crown and took the first two frames as his opponent looked rattled and missed a couple of easy pots.

However, Gilbert hit back to level at 2-2 thanks to a break of 94 and, after Higgins had edged 3-2 ahead, the man from Derby then looked on course for a maximum 147 break before missing the 15th black of the run.

He took the next two frames as well to end the first session on top and will hope to maintain that form on Friday morning when battle resumes in Sheffield.

It is second nature for Higgins to be involved with just one table in the hall as he had played in nine World Championship semi-final prior to this one while taking the title on four occasions.

He certainly has the class to make it five but will need to up his game from Thursday’s effort after admitting himself that he was far from his best.

Either player would be a popular winner of the match, with either Judd Trump or Tyneside’s Gary Wilson battling it out for the other place in the final.