Disappointed Mark Allen has backed semi-final conqueror John Higgins to win the 12Bet.com UK Championship in Telford – and reclaim his No 1 world ranking.

Higgins beat Allen 9-5 at the International Centre last night and will now face either Mark Williams or Shaun Murphy — who play today — in the final tomorrow.

The 35-year-old has won 17 out of 18 matches since returning from a six-month ban for bringing the game into disrepute.

“John showed how great he is at closing out matches and that’s something I have to learn still,” said Allen, who has now lost in five semi-finals.

“It’s like he’s never been away but that’s pretty much what I expected.

“He’s such a good player — when he left he was No 1 in the world and I don’t expect it will be too long before he’s back there, the way he’s playing.

“It will be a tough match for John (in the final) but the way he’s playing his confidence is bound to be sky-high.

“Being back in the limelight for the right reasons has probably been good for him and I can’t really see anyone beating him.”

Higgins was pleased by his own performance — pointing to a missed black by Allen in the ninth frame as the turning point.

The two players had shared the first eight but Higgins pulled clear after pinching the first of the evening session.

“That first frame in the evening was definitely a turning point,” he said. “Mark missed that black and it probably changed the whole game.”