STEPHEN Bunting has booked his place in the third round of the William Hill World Darts Championship after a thrilling match with Jose Justicia at Alexandra Palace this afternoon.

The St Helens thrower came through a 3-2 epic, winning the deciding set on a tie-break.



 

After losing the opening set, Bunting hit back in fine style to lead 2-1 but the Spaniard responded to level matters.

Bunting had Justicia rocking at 2-0 in legs in the fifth, but he missed double six for the match as Justicia pulled a leg back.

And then two match darts went begging for the St Helens man as the contest was squared again.

Legs went to 3-3 and 4-4 in the tie break before Bunting held his nerve at the death.

He will be back at the oche on Sunday afternoon when he will face either Jonny Clayton, Ryan Joyce or Jan Dekker.

Joyce and Dekker square up in the first round tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, with the winner meeting Clayton on Friday night.