DAVE Chisnall has reached the quarter-finals of the William Hill World Darts Championship for the first time but fellow St Helener Michael Smith suffered an agonising third round knockout at Alexandra Palace.

Chisnall held off the threat posed blast year's semi-finalist Jelle Klaasen, hitting 12 180s as he reached the last eight.

Seventh-seed Chizzy, who has reached three televised finals in 2016, moved a step closer to another after coming back from two legs down in the sixth set to deny Klaasen a decider.

It gets even tougher now and he faces number two seed Gary Anderson in Friday's quarter-finals.

Chisnall said: "I'm scrapping hard and I'm glad to win.

"I played okay and that was good enough so I'm over the moon. I want to play better and I know I can.

"I'll have to step it up against Gary but I know I can do it."

Meanwhile it was a familiar story of heartbreak for Smith who went out in a similar fashion to last year after leading 2-0, and 3-1 against sixth seed James Wade.

Wade won seven straight legs to overturn a three sets to one deficit to sink Smith.

Wade said: "I'm so happy that I won.

"It was a strange game, where neither of us reflected our true abilities but the crowd were brilliant and gave me an extra 20 percent."

"I should've won it earlier but my doubles for the match were dreadful. In the end I won, I'm through and that's the most important thing."

Friday December 30,
Quarter-Finals.
Afternoon Session (1pm).
James Wade (6) v Peter Wright (3).
Gary Anderson (2) v Dave Chisnall (7).

Evening Session (7pm).
Michael van Gerwen (1) v Daryl Gurney (24).
Raymond van Barneveld (12) v Phil Taylor (4).

Quarter-Finals - Best of nine sets.