Cullen edges out Williams after thriller: 'I think I might have lost that game a few years ago'

With a hard fought win over Jim Williams (3-2), Joe Cullen made it to the last 32 of the World Darts Championships in London on Wednesday afternoon.

The Englishman was 2-1 down against his Welsh opponent, but then managed to win six of the seven remaining legs.

“To have the crowd behind me is great. I’m just happy to win to be honest. Jim played well to get in front and I did well to come back,” said Cullen. ''“It was all about getting through until after Christmas and I’ll take it from there. Jim Williams was a tough draw for me but I got through it.''

Cullen reached the fourth round at Alexandra Palace last year, but in the ten years before he was always eliminated in the first or second round.

“My record here is terrible so to play that well and to win in front of that brilliant crowd means everything to me. If I’m honest I think I might have lost that game a few years ago but I’m a little more experienced now and a little more comfortable and that’s why I came back to win.”