Dennis "the menace" Priestley, World Champion and Professional Darts Player

Dennis Priestley 4-3 Per Laursen [(2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1]

DENNIS PRIESTLEY produced one of the greatest comebacks in his career to keep alive his Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship hopes with a 4-3 win over Per Laursen.

Priestley was poised for an unexpected exit from the tournament when he trailed the Danish star 3-1.

Laursen also had eight darts to win the match in the sixth set, but his misses allowed the double World Champion to step in and move into the last 16.

"I'm so relieved," admitted Priestley. "It was hard work but maybe the Gods were smiling on me."

Laursen, who made his PDC debut in the first round with a win over Colin Monk, began the match in clinical fashion, coming from behind to win the first set and then holding his throw to take the second in a decider.

Legs of 15, 14 and 14 helped Priestley to pull back set three, but the Dane made him pay for wayward finishing in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead in the match.

Priestley took the fifth set 3-0 to keep himself alive in the match, but found himself staring down the barrel in the sixth.

Laursen led 2-0 and was first to the double in the third leg before missing double 16 and double eight for the match.

Priestley took out double ten to keep himself in the contest, and a 120 finish in the next leg levelled matters.

Laursen then missed six darts at double top, ten and five in the deciding leg before Priestley landed double four to make the scoreline
3-3.

Despite Laursen winning the opening leg of the decider against the throw, Priestley had a sudden wave of enthusiasm and took three successive legs to seal the win with a 116 finish.

"I'm absolutely delighted," admitted the 56-year-old Yorkshireman. "I've got out of jail - he had eight darts to win it and they were all on the wire, so I've been very lucky.

"He has to be kicking himself. I've been in that situation a few times and I do feel sorry for him - but I won't lose any sleep over it!

"I've got to fire in a lot better than I did today at the start of the match. I wasn't throwing very well in practice beforehand and it was very difficult early on but I dug in."

Courtesy Planetdarts