STUART BINGHAM struck the UK Championship’s highest break and revealed how memories of winning the world title are spurring him on in his push back to the top.

The Essex potter struck a total clearance of 143 to finish off Anthony Hamilton 6-3 and move into the third round at the York Barbican.

Bingham said he didn’t like the look of his first colour, the brown, after potting the opening red but dispelled his negative thoughts to sink the ball on his way to a tremendous century.

The 39-year-old also put together efforts of 71, 77 and 68 in a high quality encounter that also saw Hamilton respond with 135 and 98.

Still suffering the effects of a cold, Bingham added that he was trying to recapture the attitude he had at the Crucible as he bids to add the UK title.

“I got a chance. I potted a first red and finished low on the brown,” he said of his thrilling last frame ton. “My head wasn’t in a great spot and I was looking to tuck up behind the yellow.

“I was thinking that, at the World Championship, I would be potting that brown straight away so I made my mind up, potted it, and got among the reds and it was a nice 143 to finish off.”

He added: “There are a couple of easy shots I have missed. I am working with my coach Steve Feeney and trying to get back on line and get my disciplines right.

“You have got to trust it in the end. The brown I took on, if I missed it he then makes a hundred so it was an all or nothing shot and luckily it went in.

“I played pretty confidently and went for my shots today. I could have easily backed off a little bit but I just tried to stay positive.”