Stephen Maguire has admitted he was not in a good place with his game as he managed to edge past amateur James Cahill to reach the last eight of the World Championship in Sheffield.

The Scot, who beat Tian Pengfei in a final-frame decider earlier in the competition, had to come back from 11-10 down against Cahill, edging in front 12-11 before being pegged back to force another final frame, only to find his composure to safely negotiate his passage.

Maguire has conceded the pressure was getting to him and he was simply pleased to get over the line against his English opponent, who had already knocked out world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan.

He told BBC Sport: “I was gone out there. I’m not enjoying it.

“Two deciders, two matches I could have lost easily, but I’m still in it. “My cue action went to bits and I just didn’t believe I could pot a ball. Somehow I mustered a decent last frame, I don’t know where that came from.”

Having managed to get over the line against Cahill, Maguire will now face either Judd Trump or Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals.

The 38-year-old says he is now looking to settle and make improvements in his game but the Glaswegian has downplayed his chances of going all the way at The Crucible this year.

When asked if he could win the world crown, Maguire said: “Right now, no, I’m just shattered. I’m going to change my tip. I have two days off will work on technique, try to improve for the next match.”

Maguire is 21.00 to win the World Championship, while Trump is still one of the favourites to go all the way and lift the trophy at 3.20.