MARK ALLEN is adamant partying still has its place as he prepares to continue his quest for a maiden world snooker title at the Crucible tomorrow.

The Antrim 38-year-old has been rewarded by a handful of ranking titles and a surge to third in the current world rankings.

But ahead of his second-round clash with John Higgins, night owl Allen stressed the need to continue striking a balance as he aims to plot a path to the final for the first time.