ST HELENS darter Stephen Bunting says there are more levels in his locker after he produced one of the best performances of his career to defeat his fellow St Helens star Dave Chisnall in an exhilarating six-set affair, which saw both players register ton-plus averages.

Bunting now plays Luke Humphries in tonight’s session of the Cazoo World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace for a place in the quarter finals.

Bunting fended off an early barrage from Chisnall with a six-leg blitz of his own, winning set two with a remarkable 122 average, before wrapping up the third with a sensational 140 tops-tops finish.

Chisnall responded with a 116 average in set four to restore parity, but after firing in legs of 12, 14 and 14 darts to move a set away from glory, he held his nerve in the latter stages to complete a superb 4-2 win.

"That's the best I've ever played on that stage," insisted Bunting, who was an Ally Pally semi-finalist back in 2021.

"Dave was throwing everything at me, but there were stages in that game where I felt I could just place them in that treble 20.

"I hit a nine-darter in practice. I was playing unbelievably and I felt so comfortable. It's going to take my best to win this tournament, but I think there's more levels in the locker."

The quarter-final line-up will be completed following another stellar double session at Alexandra Palace on Friday, with three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen and two-time runner-up Michael Smith among the headline acts.

Smith takes on Masters winner Joe Cullen in the afternoon's final tie.

Friday December 30.

Afternoon Session (1230 GMT).

3x Fourth Round.

Kim Huybrechts v Dimitri Van den Bergh.

Gabriel Clemens v Alan Soutar.

Michael Smith v Joe Cullen.

Evening Session (1900 GMT).

3x Fourth Round.

Rob Cross v Chris Dobey.

Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting.