However, to reach round two Doherty had to make a brilliant colour clearance of 27 after Murphy had bravely doubled the last red but missed the yellow.

“I would have been gutted had I lost that match,” said Doherty, who appeared to be coasting to victory after leading 8-4.

“It means everything to me because I have worked so hard all season.

“To have gone out in the first round would have been devastating. But I’m still here.

“Shaun potted some great long balls that I wouldn’t even have looked at. But you go for those shots when you are young. The way it was going I didn’t think it was going to be my night.

“But I stuck in there and made a knee-trembling clearance at the end.

“I’m so glad that last black was over the hole otherwise I might have twitched it.

“There was so much pressure out there. But at 9-9 in the world championship, that’s what it’s all about.”

Doherty now plays Scotsman Graeme Dott for a place in the next round.

“It was a fabulous match and I wish Ken all the best,” said a sporting Murphy, still looking for his first victory at the Crucible.

“That will probably be the match of the round. I’m very proud of myself because I have shown all through the amateur ranks that I can come back when the chips are down.

“I know I can stand up in front of a crowd and play snooker like that.

“Even when I lose I can look at the good parts and take the positives.”