But he met his match in Allen, who followed up a 143 break in frame three by closing out the contest with a run of 126.
Allen is chasing the seventh title of his professional career, and he installed himself as clear favourite by knocking out Selby a day after eliminating Judd Trump.
Robbie Williams, meanwhile, reached the last four of a ranking event for the third time following a 5-1 success against China’s Lyu Hoatian in Milton Keynes.