Controversial the competition maybe, but last night snooker fans were gripped while watching an incredible finale to a Snooker Shoot Out match.

Mark King and Tian Pengfei played out one of the best matches in the tournament’s history on Saturday night after the pair were forced to contest a final blue ball decider which was snooker’s equivalent to a nerve wracking penalty shoot out.

The pair played a dramatic ten minute contest in itself after King let a 47-0 slip away despite having ball in hand on two occasions. To his credit Pengfei produced a stunning comeback to level the scores before time had run out.

Finishing all square, King and Pengfei’s fete was to be sealed via a blue ball decider which sees each player have to put the blue ball from its spot into the top corner pocket with the white placed in the D area of the table.

In a sudden death situation King potted the blue two times only for Pengfei to pot the blue immediately afterwards to deny the Englishman victory.

And when King missed his opportunity, Pengfei pounced to claim the win to take him through to the final day of this year’s Snooker Shoot Out.

The action certainly excited the fans watching the action:

Fans were left impressed after Sunny Akani made an outstanding break of 95 to win his second round match. The Thailand-born potter impressed in December when he forced Ronnie O’Sullivan all the way in a gripping last 16 encounter in the UK Championship.

The Snooker Shoot Out concludes today with 32 players remaining in the draw. The winner will receive a trophy and a cheque for £32,000. Live coverage is on ITV4.

Yesterday, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn urged fans critical of the competition being made a ranking event to calm down and enjoy the fun of it.