Painter is into the latter stages for the second successive year and will face either Mark Dudbridge or Terry Jenkins after a 3-0 success over 'The Harbour Master' Dennis Harbour who ends his Circus Tavern debut.
To begin the opening set, Painter sealed it in style with a 120 checkout after initially going 2-0 down.
The writing was on the wall as Painter pinned double four to double his lead at 2-0 in sets after Harbour had priorly missed two set darts and once again led 2-0. The third set was a lot more comprehensive as he wrapped it up on double five for a sweep.
He was joined by local hero Howson with 'The Owl' producing brilliance again on the Circus Tavern stage in a 3-1 success over Andy Jenkins.
Averaging 86, it could be Phil Taylor in the Quarter-Finals as he took his floor form onto the stage.
Early doubling woes from Jenkins allowed Howson to ease into a 2-0 legs lead in the opening set before sweeping the first set. The second was a lot more closer as Howson took it in a decider.
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But back came Jenkins with an incredible 142 after Howson had missed a match dart at 2-1 from 141 and further darts in the decider.
It was more brilliance from Jenkins with a 126 checkout to lead the fourth set but in the end, Howson sealed the deal denying the late comeback.
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