STEPHEN Bunting will face world number one Gerwyn Price in the semi finals of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix of Darts in a repeat of their meeting at the last four stage of the World Championship nine months ago, after the St Helens ace defeated Ryan Searle 3-1.

Searle pounced on six missed finishing doubles from Bunting to win the first set 3-1, only to see the 2014 semi-finalist take the second by the same scoreline.

Searle led 2-0 in set three, but Bunting took out 104 to stay in the hunt and then capitalised when his rival missed six set darts in leg four, before opening the deciding leg with a 160 score and finishing 82 in two darts to move 2-1 up in the tie.

Searle landed a 13-darter to lead in the fourth set and was also 2-1 up before Bunting took out 101 for a 12-darter to level and punished another slip-up by the Somerset ace to close out the win.

"I dug really deep there," said Bunting. "You can't give Ryan chances - I know how good he can be, he's a special player and he's going to do big things in this game.

"I feel drained after that game. I knew it was going to be tough against Ryan so I'm delighted to be through.

"Three years ago I was ready to walk away from the game and now I'm in my second TV semi-final of the year."

Bunting is now appearing in his second World Grand Prix semi-final, seven years after losing out to Michael van Gerwen on his debut in the event.

Looking forward to his tie with Price, who easily beat another St Helens darter in Dave Chisnall, Bunting added: "What a player - number one in the world and I've got it all to do.

"If I turn up like that, I'll be getting the next train home. I know what I need to do; I'll turn up tomorrow with all the confidence in the world.

"I'm playing some good darts, I need to try and get rid of the nerves because they're creeping into my game and making it more difficult for me. You know Gerwyn's not going to miss, so I can't afford to."