Neil Robertson. Picture by Monique Limbos

DEFENDING champion Neil Robertson survived a huge scare as he won the final two frames of his match to beat Kyren Wilson in a thrilling second round encounter of the UK Championship.

The Australian , who was far from his best throughout the match, was in big trouble when Kettering potter Wilson took the lead at 5-4 with just two frames to play.

But Robertson crucially forced the match into a decider after Wilson messed up position on the final brown before missing a long pot which allowed last year’s winner back on the table to make it 5-5.

And the Australian avoided an early exit after making a fine break of 86 when the pressure was really on, which sealed his place in the next round where he will face Peter Ebdon.

Former world champion Ebdon had a much less dramatic afternoon after thrashing Kurt Maflin 6-1 to reach the last 32 stage. Mark Allen, who has appeared in two major finals already this season, white-washed Luca Brecel 6-0 to put his name into the draw.

There were also wins for Stephen Maguire and Ken Doherty who both came back from 3-0 down to beat Yu Delu and Michael White respectively.