Murphy makes 147 maximum break in Masters semi-final

Shaun Murphy compiled only the sixth 147 maximum break in the history of the Masters in his semi-final against Mark Allen at Alexandra Palace.

The Englishman is only the fifth player to achieve snooker perfection - clearing all 15 reds with 15 blacks, followed by all the colours - since the event was first staged in 1975.

Kirk Stevens recorded the first at the old Wembley Conference Centre in 1984, while Ding Junhui (twice), Marco Fu and Mark Allen have also achieved the feat.

Murphy's special effort came in the sixth frame against Northern Ireland's Allen and gave him a 4-2 lead in the best-of-11 encounter.