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WHEN Stephen Bunting came through a dramatic William Hill World Darts Championship tie-break with Spain's Jose Justicia yesterday he claimed his first win on the Alexandra Palace stage in four years.

Bunting, who reached the quarter-finals in the 2014-15 event before enduring four disappointing World Championship campaigns, eventually shook off a dogged Justicia to end his miserable run in thrilling fashion.

"I'm massively relieved, it was a difficult game because Jose kept battling back," said former Lakeside champion Bunting.

"I always felt up for the battle and to win it in the way I did shows I've got the guts.

"I haven't won on this stage in four years and that was at the back of my mind, so it's good to get rid of that record.

"I truly believe I can win this tournament and now it's about going out there and showing it."

Bunting looked on course for victory as he led 2-1 in sets, but Justicia showed great determination to take the match to a final set, and after Bunting took a two-leg lead in the decider, Justicia once again fought back with finishes of 80 and 74 to take the game to a tie-break.

After Bunting didn't give himself a dart at double on 72, Justicia stepped in to hit double 12 for a break of throw.

With Justicia waiting on 40 for the match in the next leg, Bunting found a crucial bullseye to check out 84 to make it 3-3 in the deciding set.

The pair then exchanged legs before Bunting held throw and then took out 64 in two darts to wrap up an overdue World Championship victory.