Ding holds off spirited Stevens at UK Championship in York, England, Dec 6, 2011. [Photo/CFP]

Ding Junhui remains on course for a third UK Championship after resisting a spirited effort from Matthew Stevens to complete a 6-5 win in York.

Masters holder Ding - winner of the UK trophy in 2005 and 2009 - managed to win two out of three scrappy opening frames before the match burst to life in quite spectacular style.

Former world championship finalist Stevens won the next two frames to level at 2-2.

Ding made a visit of 135 in the fifth frame only for Stevens to recover a 64-0 deficit to pinch the sixth frame with a classy 65.

Ding edged closer to victory after claiming the next two frames. However, Stevens ran in knocks of 67 and 72 to level at 5-5, and looked poised to complete a victory only to somehow break down on 24 among the balls.

Ding kept his composure to produce a winning clearance of 63 to delight the posse of Chinese autograph hunters in the Barbican Centre.

Ding will next take on of Graeme Dott or Neil Robertson in the last eight.