FORMER winner Andy Hicks purged his deciding frame demons in Malvern last night to stay on course to become the first player to regain the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship title.

The Tavistock left-hander who knocked out IBSF world champion Stephen Maguire in the last 16 earlier in the day, has been haunted by a succession of 5-4 defeats.

So, when the former World and UK semi-finalist was taken to the wire by David Gray, he feared the worst, especially as Gray led 61-0 in the decider.

This time though Hicks responded to the challenge and in two visits reached the semi-finals for the first time since his tournament success at the Willie Thorne Snooker Club three years ago.

"In 80 per cent of the deciders I've lost I've either been unlucky or haven't had a chance," explained the world number 36.

Hicks' vicotry secured a best of 11 frames head to head tonight against former world amateur champion Stuart Bingham.

Hicks began his recovery with a break of 43 but couldn't complete his match-winning clearance in one trip to the table. However, moments later he potted brown to black and the game was over.

Bingham has been installed as the new tournament favourite after he scored back to back wins over Sean Storey and Gary Wilkinson yesterday, including a total of four centuries.