STEVE GREGSON goes head-tohead with Lee Taylor tonight for a place in the final of the York Masters snooker tournament, writes Steve Carroll.

The former professional is now the favourite to lift the crown after Ashley Hugill was beaten 4-2 by Dan Potter. South Bank’s Potter, the former York City Knights player, lost a tight first frame 61-51 but levelled despite a 31 break from Hugill in the next.

A 30 break in frame three, followed by a 53 in the next, gave him a commanding lead and, although Hugill pulled a frame back with a 37 break, Potter took the match with a 75-25 win.

Taylor booked his spot in the last four with a hard fought 4-2 win over Pete Glover. Two cagey opening frames were shared before Taylor knocked in a 58 break in the third frame to move ahead.

A 49 break in the fourth gave him a cushion before Glover snatched a marathon frame five. Taylor secured victory 65-52 by fluking the pink.

Gregson dominated Heworth’s Kevin Gall to ensure a match-up with Taylor. Racing into a 2-0 lead, breaks of 65 and 52 put him within a frame of victory. Gall won frame four 55-36, but he could not prevent the inevitable.

Potter will meet Glen Mountain in the semis on Friday after the latter carved out a 4-2 victory in a fantastic quarter-final with Tim Lister. With good safety and long pots, the first frame went to Mountain 67-48 and a break of 44 gave him a 2-0 lead.

Lister reduced the arrears with a 35 clearance in the next. Mountain moved 3-1 ahead, winning the fourth frame 71-29, before Lister fought hard to take the next. After a re-rack in frame six, Mountain sealed victory with a 67-27 success.