England's Stephen Bunting defeated compatriot Ryan Searle during the fourth round of the PDC World Darts Championship ©Getty Images

England's Stephen Bunting was involved in another dramatic match at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship as he beat compatriot Ryan Searle 4-3 to reach the last eight at Alexandra Palace.

Yesterday Bunting's opponent, compatriot James Wade, recorded the first nine-dart finish, considered the pinnacle for any darts player, at the event for five years.

Bunting started strongly winning the first two sets but missed seven darts to make it 3-0, and was punished by Searle who fought back to 2-2.

After the pair traded sets again their contest became the latest at the PDC's flagship event to go the distance.

Searle won the first two legs of the deciding set before Bunting battled back with an 11-darter and a 107 checkout to force a deciding leg.

Bunting threw a 13-dart leg to complete victory, with Searle left on 16 and ruing missed opportunities.

Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode was also on the right end of a 4-3 scoreline, coming back from 0-2 and 1-3 down to defeat Glen Durrant.

Englishman Durrant is a three-time British Darts Organisation world champion.

Gary Anderson in action at the PDC World Darts Championship as a cheerleader leaves the stage ©Getty Images
Gary Anderson in action at the PDC World Darts Championship as a cheerleader leaves the stage ©Getty Images

Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney booked his place in the quarter-finals after overcoming Vincent van der Voort of The Netherlands 4-2.

After the pair shared the first two sets Gurney was on course for a nine-darter early in set three but missed double 12.

He claimed the set before Van der Voort levelled again at 2-2.

Gurney then pulled clear and despite needing seven attempts, prevailed in set six to claim a 4-2 win.

Meanwhile, Scotland's Gary Anderson, a two-time world champion, made short work of South Africa's Devon Petersen, winning in straight sets 4-0.

Anderson, who was unhappy with his own performance in his previous-round victory over Mensur Suljović, as well as being irritated by his opponent's slow play, was a much happier figure as he raced through set one without dropping a leg.

Petersen, who was two legs up in each of the next two sets, lost them both before Anderson raced away with the fourth to claim a comprehensive win.

England's Dave Chisnall, seeded eighth, knocked out ninth seed Dimitri Van den Bergh of Belgium and Welsh third seed Gerwyn Price defeated England's Mervyn King. Tomorrow is a rest day, before the last 16 gets underway on New Year's Day.