Burns put on a fine display to defeat Andrew Pagett 4-1 in a battle between two recently relegated tour players.

Lancashire's Burns dropped off the circuit at the end of last season after a narrow 10-8 loss against Ali Carter in World Championship qualifying. He had looked like bowing out in the penultimate round at Q School, when he trailed Kayden Brierley 3-1. However, a comeback 4-3 win kept his hopes alive. Things were more comfortable this morning and breaks of 85, 56 and 63 saw him ease to victory.

Burns said: "It feels like relief more than anything. I've come through Q School twice before so I feel like I have a bit of pedigree here. The idea is not to keep coming back though. I'm delighted to get over the line.

"The experience of being here and having done it really helps. You get to that last round and you can see how nervous players are. I'm nervous too, but deep down I have that experience and I think that is what helped me today."

Grace, Burns, Benzey and Quinn Secure Tour Cards At Q School