STEPHEN Bunting and Michael Smith served up an absolute classic in round three of the William Hill World Darts Championship.

The all-St Helens battle lived up to and exceeded all expectations with both players scoring freely and Smith proving some phenomenal checkouts.

However, it was Bunting who held his nerve to survive the rally from the resurgent Smith to book a quarter final date with Ray van Barneveld.

Bunting raced into a 3-0 lead against fellow St Helens thrower Smith, but the former World Youth Champion - who came from 2-0 down to defeat Brendan Dolan in the second round - again hit back.

Current Lakeside Champion Bunting, though, held his nerve and when it mattered he pulled out his best darts again despite a late onslaught of 180s from Smith to win the fifth set and move on into the last eight in his bid to win the title at Alexandra Palace.

Both men averaged over 102 and hit eight 180s apiece in a high-quality ending to a brilliant night of darts, but Bunting's greater consistency and better start saw him able to hang on despite five ton-plus finishes from Smith.

Smith overcame a slow start against Dolan, and allowed Bunting to take the initiative in this clash despite landing a 170 finish for his only leg of the first set, as legs of 14 and 13 darts helped the Alexandra Palace debutant claim first blood.

Smith also took out 132 as he levelled at two-all in the second set, but Bunting took the deciding leg with the throw with a 14-darter before coming from a leg down in set three to land finishes of 12, 13 and 14 darts.

A 14-darter to break at the start of the fourth set was exactly what Smith needed, and after the next two legs were traded it was the youngster who fired in an 11-darter to claim his first set.

Smith's 12-darter to open set five was bettered by an 11-dart finish from Bunting as he levelled - but Smith took out 106 and 121 in successive legs to claim the set and reduce the gap to just 3-2.

The pair traded 180s as Bunting kicked off the sixth set with a 12-darter only to see Smith level in 12 darts by landing a maximum and a 161 checkout.

Bunting set up double 18 with a 171 score in the third leg, and landed his final maximum in the next as double 16 sealed his place in the last eight, where he meets Raymond van Barneveld.

"I knew I had to get out of the blocks pretty fast and I did that," admitted Bunting. "I got the lead but I knew Michael is a never-say-die player - I watched his game against Brendan Dolan when he was two sets up and let it slip and I had it in the back of my mind just not to do the same.

"Michael is a really good friend and I'm really sad to see him go home but at the same time I'm really happy to be in the quarter-finals."

He added: "I know I've got the game to win this title, and if I bring my best darts to the big stage I can beat anyone, I've proved it this year so I know I can do it, and to win the PDC World Championship would be the ultimate in darts. It's always been a dream to be here and to be in the quarter-finals is amazing."