STEPHEN Maguire snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to keep alive his title hopes at the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship in Malvern last night.

The 19 year-old Glaswegian, third round conqueror of Jimmy White, was already thinking about the long journey home when suddenly given an unexpected reprieve.

From the brink of a 5-2 defeat Maguire stormed back to knock out former runner-up Rod Lawler 5-4.

"I was already thinking about taking my waistcoat off," smiled Maguire after clinching his place in the last 16 at the Willie Thorne Snooker Club.

"Rod looked to be clearing up in that seventh frame but somehow he missed the last pink. That gave me a lifeline I hadn't really expected.

"But it was a real struggle and I hate games like that which go on for such a long time. At least against Andy Hicks in the next round it should be a lot more open. I certainly hope so."

Devonian Hicks is one of three past champions still in contention as the competition now starts to hot up.

The 1997 winner knocked out Noppadon Noppachorn of Thailand 5-1 and is in the same section of the draw as his successor David Gray.

Londoner Gray, a regular practice partner of White and a stablemate of Maguire, ended the interest of Scotsman Billy Snaddon.

Inthe top half of the draw 1996 winner Brian Morgan is through to round six where he will face world number 194 Lee Spick, the lowest ranked player left in the tournament.

The highest ranked player chasing the £5,000 first prize is Welshman Dominic Dale who meets Mark Davis from Sussex, a quarter-finalist 12 months ago, for a place in the last eight.

One again there will be a new name on the trophy. Defending champion Ali Carter went down 5-2 against 18 year-old Shaun Murphy, the youngest player among the final 16.