Murphy to face Wilson in Masters final after making 147 break

Shaun Murphy compiled only the sixth maximum 147 break in the history of the Masters as he reached the final with a 6-3 win over Mark Allen.

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 Allen have also achieved the feat.

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

"I can't believe it. It was an incredible moment, one of the best of my snooker career," Murphy told BBC Sport

"I have wanted to make a 147 in one of the BBC events since I was a child. I had a great opportunity the other day and totally messed it up. I had great support from the crowd, who were absolutely amazing."

The 42-year-old, who won the tournament in 2015, had trailed 2-0, with world number four Allen dominating the tactical exchanges.

However, the momentum shifted in a more open third frame, and Murphy then levelled with a run of 83 on the way to reeling off four consecutive frames.

A timely half-century briefly helped Allen reduce the arrears but when he missed a red while attempting a plant, Murphy was able to knock in a 72 to go 5-3 ahead.

He secured his victory - and place in Sunday's final against either Judd Trump or Kyren Wilson - after winning a safety battle on the green in the ninth frame.

Nicknamed 'the Magician', Murphy was unable to conjure up a 147 in his quarter-final win against Neil Robertson.

But he made no mistake this time, displaying immaculate cue-ball control throughout.

It prompted joyous scenes as the fans inside Alexandra Palace erupted, with Murphy being warmly congratulated by Allen.

"The 147 was such a buzz to be part of even though I was on the wrong end of it this year," Allen added.

World number seven Murphy has now made nine 147 breaks during his career, with Ronnie O'Sullivan (15), John Higgins (13) and Stephen Hendry (11) the only players to have recorded more.

His effort against Allen - the 210th 147 in professional snooker history - puts him on course to claim the £15,000 prize awarded for the tournament's highest break.