Not Allen's Day as he falls short in British Open final

Mark Allen came up just short against Ryan Day in the final of the British Open, losing by 10 frames to 7 in Milton Keynes tonight.

Allen came into the final in a rich vein of form having claimed the scalps of Judd Trump and Mark Selby on his way to the final, losing just 10 frames in his six matches before today's decider.

The Antrim man hit two centuries in this afternoon's session - 126 and 105 - but his stubborn Welsh opponent was sticking with him as they shared the opening eight frames.

Again Allen surged ahead three times in this evening's session - at 5-4, 6-5 and 7-6 - but Day was able to come up with the answers.

He took the lead for the first time tonight in the 15th frame with a break of 70, and followed it up with an 84 to leave himself on the brink of victory.

He surged ahead in the next, before breaking down. But Allen couldn't take advantage, and Day was able to clear the colours to take his fourth ranking title, and sixth victory of his career.

"Not to be today but all credit to Ryan," Allen said on twitter afterwards.

"He went and won the match. Stayed aggressive and fully deserved it. Plenty of positives to take but obviously not the end to the week I wanted. Thanks for all your messages of support. I'll be back."