Scottish number three Alan McManus's Crucible Theatre jinx shows no sign of ending.

The world number 10 reached the semi-finals in 1992 and 1993 but since then has never been beyond the last 16 in 10 attempts.

And, unless there is a dramatic collapse over the remaining 17 frames, McManus will have to wait another 12 months to break the curse.

Glaswegian McManus trails Lancastrian Ian McCulloch 7-1 as the left-hander went seven-up after losing the opening frame.

McCulloch, among a group of players chasing a place in the top 16 next season, showed his first round win over 2002 world champion Peter Ebdon was no fluke.

"As well as I played against Peter I knew I could play better," said the 2002 British Open runner-up.

And he did just that making a break of 106 to draw level at 1-1 and then firing in 113 to lead 5-1.

McCulloch finished the session with an unanswered points sequence of 299 points as McManus missed a series of simple pots.

World number 26 McCulloch requires six of tomorrow morning's eight frames to finish the match with a session to spare.

The eventual winner will meet Stephen Hendry or Barry Pinches for a place in the semi-finals.

The scoreline will delight one punter who staked £4,000 at evens in a Brighton betting shop that he will beat McManus. McCulloch was quoted at 50-1 to win the world title before the start of his game against McManus.

But those odds have shortened after his outstanding display to 20-1.