Sheer darting drama as Jonny Clayton averts remarkable comeback to fall over the line against Daryl Gurney

Jonny Clayton looked to be utterly cruising at 3-0 up against Daryl Gurney as he looked to ease past his good friend. But he was embroiled in a tense and nervy PDC World Darts Championship epic falling over the line 4-3.

It was one that should've gone to a tie-break with Gurney missing multiple darts to force it but you make your own luck and Clayton certainly did with a remarkable win. He now could face another good friend and World Cup partner, Gerwyn Price who plays tonight. Clayton never does it the easy way but it sure is great to watch. He is through to the Last 16.

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It was a scrappy start to the tie as Clayton got over the line hitting double nine in the deciding leg to seal the opening set. He continued to get better and better though with Gurney's tie characterised with missed darts at the doubles.

The Ferret fired in a sensational 160 checkout to wrap up the second set 3-1 and double his lead to go 2-0 up. The Welshman raced through the third set without reply. He extended his lead with 50% of the doubles as Gurney continued not to fire.

But Clayton could only put pressure on in the next set and couldn't find the break to seal the win. He pinned 76 to close out the fourth set and kick-started a potential fightback. But with Clayton having the throw, it was a pivotal set.

But he was poor as he missed darts to hold and handed Gurney a second chance to break which he did. He broke again with Clayton slowly fading as Gurney hit a 31 checkout on double eight to make it 3-2.

Gurney started the next set with a 69 checkout to make it 1-0. Clayton missed 64 for 1-1 and Gurney hit a 71 checkout to go one away from 3-3 in sets. Clayton broke back with a 74 checkout. He had a lifeline as Gurney missed darts for the set but Clayton missed again and Gurney made it 3-3.

Clayton pinned double 20 to begin the decider. Clayton missed 104 for a break to go one away and Gurney pinned double 18 for 1-1. Clayton clinically pinned double 16 for a 52 checkout to go one away. Gurney needed to hold to stay in the tie.

Gurney missed 98 for 2-2 but Clayton couldn't pin 146. The former missed three for the tie-break but Clayton missed three for the match and the agony was there for both as Gurney got another chance. But he couldn't take it and Clayton finally fell over the line.

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