JOHN PART 4-2 KEVIN PAINTER

JOHN PART remained on course for a fourth World Championship title alive after overcoming Kevin Painter in the last 16 of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with tough 4-2 victory.

Part led 2-1 in the early stages but missed a dart at double top in the fourth set to move 3-1 ahead, allowing Painter to level the match.

But the Canadian won the next two sets to reach the quarter-finals of this tournament for the first time, since he won the title back in 2008.

"We were both working really hard out there and it was a tough game to play," said the three-time World Champion, who will now face James Wade for a semi-final place.

"Kevin and I have a lot of history in this championship and we have a great deal of respect for eachother. I have beaten him in two semi-finals and that was a good feeling going into this match.

The key to the match was that I hit my doubles when I needed too and took out some big shots at vital times, which got me over the finishing line."

Painter started confidently with a 12-dart finish, which included a 180 with his first three darts of the match.

The second leg saw Painter miss bullseye for a 170 checkout, and Part took it on double eight, before securing a break of throw in the next, landing double nine with his first dart.

Painter hit a second 180 in the fourth leg to pressure on Part, which he succumbed as his attempt at double eight fell into double 16.

The Daventry based thrower won the leg with a two-dart 63 finish and landed double 18 in the deciding leg to claim an early advantage.

The three-time World Champion defied a maximum from Painter to hold throw at the start of set two, before Painter took the second leg after Part was guilty of missing five darts at doubles.

Both players began the third with 180s, before Painter fired in another to leave an opportunity of recording a nine-dart finish.

Painter's attempt at a seventh treble 20 failed to hit the target, and he then missed two darts at double 16, allowing Part to snatch it by landing double top with his third dart.

Painter hit a 13-dart finish to take the fourth leg, which included his sixth 180 of the game, before Part hit the same double to win the set and level the match.

The Canadian began the third set in superb fashion by recording a fantastic 161 checkout, to win the first leg against the darts.

Part, who defeated Richie Burnett in the last round, took the second after Painter missed two darts at doubles.

Painter hit double 16 to take the third leg before Part hit the same double in the next, to take the set and lead the match for the first time.

Part hit an excellent 127 checkout to win the first leg of the fourth leg but landed double top to claim the second, and hit the same bed to win the next against the darts.

The fourth leg saw Painter miss a dart at double top to win the set and Part accepted the reprieve to hit double eight and force a deciding leg.

Painter missed a dart a bullseye in the deciding leg but Part missed a dart at double top to move 3-1 ahead and the 2004 runner-up hit double eight with his first dart to level the match at two apiece.

The Canadian secured a break of throw at the start of set five by hitting double 10 after Painter missed two darts at doubles.

Part was off-target with three chances to take the second leg, allowing Painter to level as he landed double eight with an accurate last dart.

Painter hit an excellent 121 checkout to break his opponent's throw but Part immediately hit back to take the next by landing double six.

In the deciding leg Part showed his class to record a 104 checkout to win the set and move ahead for the second time.

Part won the first leg of the sixth set - his third in a row - before Painter registered a 126 checkout to take the second.

Part moved one leg away from the match by landing double four with his first dart but Painter hit a 13-darter to take the fourth.

The deciding leg saw the Canadian hit two 140s to forge ahead, and an accurate attempt at double 10 ended the contest.