ZHAO XINTONG'S outrageous potting gave Mark Allen the shivers - but the 2011 finalist still comfortably made the second round of the Betway UK Championship after a 6-2 victory.

The Northern Irishman, nicknamed the Pistol, fought off the effects of a cold - which left him trembling with hot and cold flushes - to see off the former world amateur finalist and book a clash with Michael Georgiou.

Allen was left spellbound by some of his Chinese opponent's cueing and believes the 18-year-old, who already has scalps against Barry Hawkins and Marco Fu to his name, will go far.

He said: "I played all right and I used the experience I have in a few frames. He's an unbelievable talent, I have to say. Some of the balls he potted, I thought 'What the hell's going on here? He shouldn't even be going for that' and he is banging it in and is perfect on the colour.

"He definitely has a bright future but showed a bit of naivety in some of the frames. He went for a few he shouldn't have and his safety wasn't as good as it should be. But he is an unbelievable talent and he has got a bright future if he keeps on that track.

"I knew he was scoring well but I knew going out there that it wasn't about breaks. I had to keep it tight and make it hard for him. I always fancied myself to do the job. It was a strange match because I didn't know what to expect.

"I knew of his reputation. He has had some good wins in the past in previous tournaments as a wild card. He was a beaten finalist twice in the last three years in the world amateur. He comes in with good pedigree.

"It's hard to judge someone until you actually play them yourself and it's a frightening experience because no ball was safe at one point. I am happy I got the job done so comfortably because I don't really feel great at the moment. I am struggling with a cold."

"Not good," he added when asked how he was feeling. "One minute I am freezing out there, the next minute I was roasting and I was shivering both hot and cold. My head is sore, eyes are sore, neck is sore - other than that I feel great."

Robert Milkins hasn't always had the best of luck at the UK Championship - but the Gloucester potter is hoping this can be his year.

The number 16 seed made an emphatic start to his trophy challenge, beating Vinnie Calabrese 6-0 in the main arena, and admitted he was surprised he didn't face a tougher game.

He explained: "I know it sounds weird, because I won 6-0, but it wasn't the best quality game. Vinnie really struggled. He didn't play the game he can. He made it pretty easy for me, to tell the truth.

"Vinnie is a good player but, obviously, he is struggling with something. I expected a tougher game. It's always really nice to win, and 6-0, especially after I lost my first match in the International Championship.

"I didn't really want to lose again so it was a big game for me as well to try and kick start the season."

Milkins was plagued with a mysterious eye complaint in York 12 months ago, which left him unable to see down the length of the table. He reached the third round then and, now fighting fit, he is hoping the snooker gods will smile upon him this time.

"Last year was a bit of a no show," he said. "I know I won a couple quite easily but my eye wasn't right and it was a big hindrance last year.

"Obviously coming to the second biggest tournament, you need everything to go your way and if you have got something like that it is really hard to perform. 

"This year, I am all right. There are always a couple of things. I am not totally happy with my tip but snooker players always moan about something. I will see what happens now."