MARTIN Gould has won the Power Snooker Masters title after recovering from a deficit of more than 150 points to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 286-258 at the Trafford Centre, Manchester.

The victory is the first silverware of the 30-year-old former croupier’s professional career, and comes at the end of a successful 12 months that has seen him climb to a career-high 16 in the world rankings, as well as reaching the final of the PTC Grand Finals.

The ‘Pinner Potter’ trailed 234-138 after three racks but Gould dug deep to play his way back into the game with his characteristic all-or-nothing attitude.

Gould, who beat Judd Trump, Stuart Bingham and Mark Selby en route to the final, paid tribute to the controversial variant of the game following his victory. He said: “Obviously it’s a bit of a different game but I’m cueing well so all bodes well for the next couple of tournaments that are coming up.

“The crowd have been fantastic all weekend so big up to them- I’ve loved every minute of it.”

O’Sullivan, who has also heaped praise on the format, paid tribute to his opponent’s tenacity. He said: “Congratulations to Martin.

“I had a couple of chances but Martin took full advantage. He deserved to win.”

Final

Martin Gould 286-258 Ronnie O’Sullivan

Semi-finals

Martin Gould 253-246 Mark Selby

Ronnie O’Sullivan 519-157 Neil Robertson

Quarter-finals

Mark Selby 398-56 Mark Allen

Martin Gould 247-180 Stuart Bingham

Neil Robertson 271-125 Stephen Lee

Ronnie O’Sullivan 185-182 Graeme Dott