Joe Perry produced a sensational fightback from 5-2 down to edge past Barry Hawkins in a last-frame decider and book his place in a first Masters final at Alexandra Palace on Saturday night.

The Cambridge cueist turned the tide in astonishing fashion with four consecutive frames, closing out the match with a break of 70 in the decider to set up a show-down with Ronnie O’Sullivan on Sunday.

Hawkins, from Ditton near Maidstone, looked to have one foot in a second successive Masters final but was left to rue what might have been as the number nine seed won through to his first Triple Crown final in 26 years as a professional.

“I should never have had a chance but I just thought if I get one, I’m going to go for it,” said Perry. “I don’t know how I held myself together really.

“It’s got to be the best comeback of my career, especially with the stage it’s at. Barry was far and away better than me and, had I played better, I think he could have gone up a few gears.

“I’m going to be second favourite, but that won’t be my attitude tomorrow. I’ve got to go out there, play to the very best of my ability, try my absolute hardest and, as we’ve seen tonight, you just never know what might happen in this game,” he added.

Hawkins had a great chance to take the opening frame after Perry had broken down on 30, but a missed red on 51 enabled the Gentleman to strike first on the pink.

Last year’s finalist responded brilliantly with a break of 77 and, after his opponent regained the lead, a run of 58 levelled things at the mid-session interval at 2-2.

He then dominated the fifth with contributions of 45 and 53 seeing him take the lead for the first time, before doubling his advantage after taking a very scrappy sixth on the colours.

Hawkins then moved to the brink of victory after moving 5-2 up on the blue and a run of 58 appeared to have sealed the deal.

However, Perry got the snooker he needed before producing a cool 41 clearance to keep his faint hopes alive, while a run of 57 was eventually enough to move to within a frame of Hawkins at 5-4 behind.

The Gentleman then completed a stunning comeback with a break of 62 to send the match into a decider where, after seeing Hawkins open with 40, produced a magnificent break of 70 to secure a memorable victory.