Defending champion John Higgins edges through

Defending champion John Higgins has progressed to the last 16 of the UK Championship after coming through a tight encounter against Rory McLeod.

The Scot, who recently criticised the new shorter format at this year's event, came from 4-2 behind to win the best of 11 tie 6-5.

Despite Higgins's comeback, England's McLeod forced a crucial deciding frame at 5-4 but Higgins showed his class to triumph.

Ding Junhui, a champion at York's Barbican centre on two occasions, advanced by also coming from behind to win 6-5 against Mark Davis.