KEN DOHERTY, stunned by the heaviest whitewash of his career in a European league fixture a week ago, was back in winning form yesterday with a 5-3 victory over Dennis Taylor which puts him into the quarter finals of the Liverpool Victoria charity challenge at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Doherty, who admitted it was an embarrassment to lose 8-0 to Peter Ebdon, completed an astonishing recovery in the last frame to go through on the black.

The Dubliner, who was runner up to John Higgins in last month's German Open, trailed Taylor 66-22 with only one red remaining, but after his opponent had failed to escape from three snookers, he eventually cleared up to win the frame, and the match, with a break of 33.

"That was a good frame to win, at least I'm getting my form back. It's also nice to be able to do something for charity," smiled Doherty, whose victory has already boosted the funds of the Samaritans by £11,000 at the five day event.

Taylor remarked: "I couldn't believe it when I lost the eighth frame after potting the crunch ball. I thought I was over the line and I'm still disappointed for the Young People At Risk charity I was representing this year.

But I proved I can compete against one of the best players in the game today. Now I have to knuckle down and try and get my place back in the top 16."

Taylor, who was runner up to Stephen Hendry in the charity challenge last year, added: I still believe I'm good enough."