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MICHAEL Smith won his third Premier League match on the bounce beating World number one Michael Van Gerwen in Exeter.

Smith produced a memorable performance in a 7-4 victory - the second time he has beaten the Dutchman in less than a week.

Smith had defeated van Gerwen in last weekend's Belgian Darts Championship, and stormed into a 5-1 lead with finishes of 96 and 134, maintaining an average of 108.

He also won leg seven to secure a minimum of a point, with Van Gerwen taking the next three with legs of 12, 13 and 13 darts only for Smith to finally get over the winning line on double eight.

"It's a good win and I'm happy," said Smith. "It's weird to come off against Michael and be disappointed that I didn't win by more legs, but I'm glad I got the win.

"His average was better than mine but I was quite strong on my throw and luckily enough I fell over the line.

"It's a big thing to beat Michael and it's hard when you're throwing at those winning doubles.

"He's still the best player in the world and it feels good, but he's not at his best at the moment. I'm in a good place, though, and long may it continue."

Smith now sits in second place in the league table on leg difference behind Glen Durrant, who claimed his third win of the season with a superb 7-3 win over Gerwyn Price.