It was payback time for Crucible Theatre newcomer Joe Perry as he stole the spotlight from six-times world champion Steve Davis in Sheffield yesterday. The little-known Wisbech professional will be on the verge of a major upset when he resumes this morning with a 7-2 lead on his 41-year-old opponent.

"Steve always used to beat my hero Jimmy White so he's never been my favourite player," Perry had said before going out to make it an afternoon of misery for Davis.

World number 74 Perry now needs just three of the remaining 10 frames to take his place in the last 16 alongside first-round giant-killers Nick Walker, Matthew Stevens and Chris Small.

This year marks Davis' 21st anniversary at the Crucible - but there will be no celebration party, just a wake if he cannot pull the match out of the fire. He only has himself to blame for finding himself with his dream of capturing a modern-day record seventh title in tatters.

Perry joined a small group of players to make a century break on their Crucible debut. Just as crucially he took some vital early frames on the last couple of colours, including the second on the pink and the third on the black with a 68 break having been 61-0 down.

Davis opened his account in the fourth with his second half-century but by the time he added to his total Perry was 6-1 clear.

Davis whitewashed his opponent in frame eight but Perry bounced back with a run of 81, missing another century only through haste to reach the end of the session.

Mark King reached the second round thanks to a 10-8 win over Darren Morgan. The world number 16 hit back from 8-6 down to set up a meeting with defending champion John Higgins.