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ST HELENS darter Stephen Bunting staged a terrific fightback to reach the last 16 of the William Hill World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace, London.

The Windle-based thrower trailed number seven seed James Wade two sets to nil, but battled level on his way to a 4-2 victory.

He will now play Ryan Searle in tomorrow's fourth round.

Bunting never had any issue in scoring, but it looked at one stage that his multiple missed doubles was going to cost him.

He held his nerve to win the third and forth sets, which saw Wade go off the boil apart from a nine-darter at the start of the fifth set.

But Bunting won that set 3 legs to 2 and did likewise in the sixth set to deservedly clinch the match 4-2.

Afterwards Bunting said: "I can't believe it. I have worked so hard the last few months and everyone knows I had Covid, but I put that to one side and put a big effort into this tournament.

"I am delighted to be in the last 16 - I can get ready and relax for tomorrow's game.

"I honestly believe I am playing better than ever.

"The missus has gone to the Gerard Arms, one of my sponsors, today to watch it - hopefully they could cheer me on. I look forward to tomorrow now."