Stephen Maguire breezes past Graeme Dott as John Higgins crashes out

He recorded highest breaks of 72 and 116 en route to the last eight of a tournament he won in 2004.

"I played well," said Maguire afterwards. "That's the best I have played since I have been down here. It was a tough match; he's gritty and never gives up but I thought I controlled the match from the word go."

Mark King progressed after beating John Higgins 6-5, notching a break of 69 in a tense deciding frame to secure a comeback win after the fourth seed had led 4-2 and 5-4.

"There are just some things you can't explain where you malfunction on every single shot and cannot pot a ball," said Higgins later. "When you collapse like that, there's only way you're going to go in this game."

Ryan Day reached his first UK Championship quarter-final in 14 attempts when he beat Li Hang 6-5, with a massive break of 138 in the decider.

Joe Perry came out on top against Mark Allen, winning 6-4 in a close encounter, with both men recording century breaks.

Stephen Maguire 6-2 Graeme Dott

Mark King 6-5 John Higgins

Mark Allen 4-6 Joe Perry

Ryan Day 6-5 Li Hang