World Championship set for dramatic finish at Crucible

Murphy continually edged ahead of his opponent but Bingham responded with the grit he is known for to leave things finely poised at 9-8 to Murphy.

Heavy scoring at the Crucible Theatre over the past fortnight has enabled the 2005 world champion to dominate opponents and he demonstrated that ability once again last night - three half-century breaks helping him race into a 3-0 lead.

But Bingham, a 50-1 outsider for the title before the tournament began, has shown considerable heart to battle his way to this stage for the first time and a run of 105 was the highlight as he fought back to 4-4.

The Essex potter could only sit and watch at the start of the evening session, however, as Murphy's piston-like cue action was working to full effect, enabling him to open up an 8-4 lead, including back-to-back centuries.

The 32-year-old was a qualifier when he shockingly won the World Championship in 2005 and he also reached the final in 2009, losing 18-9 to John Higgins.

But now firmly entrenched in the world's top eight, the Nottingham-based cueman believes a second world title would be his crowning glory.

However, Bingham is a man who has never shied away from hard work, although success at the Crucible has always eluded him - a quarter-final in 2013 his best previous display.

Victories over Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump to reach the 2015 final appear to have given the 38-year-old confidence and he demonstrated that at 8-4 down, reeling off three straight frames, including a 123 break, to narrow the deficit to one.

And the pair split the last two, setting up a potentially gripping session of snooker when they resume at 2pm today.

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