John Higgins survived a major scare against a battling Mark Allen to advance to his fourth world championship final.

The Scot had led 13-3 at one point during the match and went into the concluding session with a healthy 15-9 advantage, needing just two more frames to win. But Allen, appearing in his first Crucible semi-final, responded magnificently. Aided by a break of 106, the Antrim-born 23-year-old clawed his way back to 15-12. Higgins, though, settled his nerves with a 116 and he eventually edged over the line 17-13.

The 1998 and 2007 champion will now face either Shaun Murphy or Neil Robertson in tomorrow's best-of-35-frames final. Murphy and Robertson will play to a finish this evening, with Murphy three frames away from victory.

Having resumed this morning 9-7 up, Murphy, the 2005 Crucible winner, reeled off the first five frames. Robertson was in danger of defeat with a session to spare, but the Australian left-hander recovered to claim the final three frames and reduce his arrears to 14-10.

Semi-finals (best of 33 frames)

John Higgins (Scotland) beat Mark Allen (Northern Ireland) 17-13

Shaun Murphy (England) leads Neil Robertson (Australia) 14-10