Stephen Maguire conceded he had been the beneficiary of an ‘outrageous fluke’ before he edged out Tian Pengfei 10-9 in the first round of the Betfred World Championship.

The Glaswegian was seemingly about to lose the match 10-7 when lady luck took over. He needed a snooker on the colours in the 17th frame and almost went in off from the brown in attempting to get it.

Maguire then went for a long risky pot on the blue, missing, only for the blue to hit the cue ball again and deflect into the opposite baulk pocket.

Having survived, Maguire notched a 71 break to force a decider and a contribution of 51 helped him over the line 10-9 against Crucible debutant Pengfei.

The world number 15 admitted he sensed his chance was there as soon as good fortune saved him from certain elimination.

“I was very lucky, I fluked a crazy blue,” said 38-year-old Maguire. “Before that when I potted the brown I thought I had gone in-off and I took a step towards Tian to shake hands. But the white stayed out and I got the snooker. Then the fluke was outrageous.

“I have been on the receiving end and I know that it’s the worst feeling in the world, when you know you should have already won [a match]. So at 9-8 I felt I was going to win. I just can’t believe I am still in the tournament.”

Maguire had previously lost eight of his 15 first round matches in the Crucible, but he’s also reached semi-finals in 2007 and 2012.

He’s going to face either Ronnie O’Sullivan or amateur James Cahill next and the Scot admits it will be special should the five-time world champion come through.

“If I play Ronnie in the next round it would be a special occasion because he has an aura about him that no one else has. He is better than he has ever been because he doesn’t let anything upset him. He’s the best ever so I would have to play unbelievable stuff,” added Maguire.

Maguire is 81.00 to win the World Snooker Championship after his first round escapology.