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John Higgins staged a remarkable comeback to overcome Mark Williams 10-9 and lift his third 12bet.com UK Championship crown at Telford.

The Scot was on the brink of defeat after trailing 7-2 and then 9-5 in the best of 19 final.

But Higgins showed nerves of steel in adding to his 1998 and 2000 triumphs in dramatic fashion.

It was his first major tournament triumph since serving a six-month ban for bringing the game into disrepute.

But Higgins had also stated his desire to lift the crown for his dad, John senior, who is losing his five-year battle against cancer - and got his wish.

The 35-year-old joined an elite band who have won snooker's second most prestigious event - after the world championships - on three or more occasions.

Steve Davis (six), Stephen Hendry (five) and Ronnie O'Sullivan (four) are the other members of the select group.

Higgins' success - his 22nd ranking title - also lifted him back to number one in the world rankings ahead of Neil Robertson.

He has now won 18 out of 19 matches since returning to action after his ban.

Williams looked stunned after being on the receiving end of Higgins' remarkable revival.

The only consolation for the Welshman was that he moved back to number three in the rankings having dropped down to a provisional 47th three years ago.

Williams made a positive start with a break of 83 in the opening frame.

A run of 40 helped Higgins to draw level but Williams established a two-frame advantage by the mid-session interval.

A 39 and 28 enabled him to win frame three and then he made Higgins pay the price after breaking down on 45 by missing a straightforward pink into the middle pocket.

Williams took advantage of this let-off with a 65 to the final black and looked favourite to win the first frame after the resumption with a break of 55.

But Higgins showed tremendous fighting qualities with a superb 66 clearance.

Williams reopened a two-frame advantage in the sixth after an opening 42 despite Higgins managing to achieve the two snookers he required at one stage.

A modest run of 32 moved Williams 5-2 ahead and his 85 in the final frame of the session was his best to date in the tournament.

Williams extended his lead to 7-2 with a run of 40 in the opening frame of the evening session.

Higgins staged a revival and a 90 break in frame 10 followed by a 94 clearance cut the gap to three frames. But Williams regained momentum with a 70 in the final frame before the interval.

Higgins responded with a 105 clearance - the first century of the final - but Williams moved to within one frame of the finishing line by winning the 14th.

Higgins broke down on 45 in the next but Williams was unable to capitalise as the deficit was cut to 9-6.

A 76 in the next further reduced Higgins arrears.

Williams was first among the balls with 61 in the next before missing a comfortable red into the black pocket.

Higgins hit back with a 40 and then, after requiring and obtaining one snooker, cleared the colours.

It quickly became 9-9 to set up a one frame shoot-out for the title.

Williams missed a straightforward red into the green pocket and Higgins took advantage with a 66 break.

But he got a kick when potting a black, missed the red that would have left Williams needing snookers.

Williams responded with a run of 33 but Higgins went for and potted an up-and-down the table brown to seal the title.