Dennis Priestley fought off the challenge of Kevin Painter in a deciding leg to win Group Eight of Championship League Darts.
The Artist fails to take out 121 in deciding leg of dramatic final
Dennis Priestley defeated Kevin Painter 6-5 to win Group Eight of Championship League Darts.
The 61-year-old booked his place in Thursday's 'Winners Group' of the internet-streamed tournament despite missing seven darts for the match.
He led Painter 3-0 and 4-3 before a 104 checkout from the two-time world champion put him on the brink of victory.
However, Priestley missed five match darts as Painter hit double 16 to win the ninth leg, before the Artist then took out 81 in the next to force a decider.
Priestley missed two more darts for the match in that to give his opponent a chance, only for Painter to drop short of the bull on a 121 finish. The miss proved costly, as his fellow Englishman took out double three for victory.
Wonderful
"I made it hard for myself but it's wonderful to get through," said Priestley.
"Just to finish in the top four was an achievement and I had to battle all the way, but to defeat John and Kevin is a great achievement. I might have dropped out of the top 32, but this shows that there's plenty of like left in me yet!"
Priestley will now compete for the £10,000 first prize on Thursday as the eight Group Winners return to Crondon Park GC in Essex for the event's final day.
He will be joined by Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Paul Nicholson and Simon Whitlock, Mark Walsh, Mervyn King and Steve Beaton.
The finalists will also receive invitations to the Grand Slam of Darts, giving an added incentive for Priestley and Walsh, who have yet to qualify for next month's event in Wolverhampton.
John Part and Jelle Klaasen missed out on qualification despite topping the league table following the round-robin phase of Group Eight.
Painter - Tuesday's Group Seven runner-up - defeated Dutchman Vincent van der Voort 6-4 in the semi-finals, while Priestley came from 2-0 down to defeat Canadian Part 6-5 in a tight battle.
Mark Dudbridge missed out on the play-offs on leg difference to Priestley, with Alan Tabern winning three games, Jelle Klaasen picking up just one victory and Bristol's Steve Brown left without a victory.
