Classy John Higgins was hailed for an act of sportsmanship at snooker's Tour Championships today.

The Scottish sports hero was in action up against Mark Allen of Wales. The duo were in first-round action of the £500,000 event. 

The 48-year-old was 4-1 up when the Wizard of Wishaw accidentally made contact with the cue ball twice while taking a safety shot. 

Given the extremely fine detail of the mishit, Allen, 38, failed to notice what had occurred - neither did the referee or the crowd.

However, the Scot took it upon himself to alert the match official to the error of his play and admitted that he'd hit the white ball twice.

After owning up, Higgins was applauded by the crowd for his honesty. A real moment of class by the snooker stalwart.

Higgins lost that frame and the next three, as they ended the first session of play tied at 4-4.

The winner of the match will go on to play Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals of the competition.