Saint stunned by Stompe

Co Stompe booked his place in round three of the World Championship with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Alan Tabern at Alexandra Palace.

Stompe, making his debut at the PDC event, was in ruthless mood as he swept aside 'the Saint' with a mixture of heavy scoring and clinical finishing.

The Dutchman set the tone by taking out 96 against the throw to clinch the opening leg, and despite Tabern battling back from 2-0 down, Stompe hit tops to win the first set.

Both players held their throw at the start of the second set, however it was the St Helens arrower who made his move by breaking Stompe and taking out a set-winning 84 to restore parity.

But that was as good as it got for Tabern, Stompe averaging 96.82 during a win which sets up a last 16 clash against Wayne Mardle.

Dramatic

Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Stompe said: "The bookies never game me a chance in the game and that motivated me.

"Alan has beaten me before but I raised my game and it feels awesome."

Dennis Smith followed up his shock first round win over Terry Jenkins with a sensational comeback to defeat Kevin McDine 4-3.

The 23-year-old McDine blitzed into what seemed destined to be an unassailable 3-0 lead, however 2000 World Championship semi-finalist Smith hit back to clinch the most dramatic of wins.

When McDine wiped out 128 on the bull for the third set "Smithy" looked doomed, however the man from Swindon started his comeback by nailing double three to win set four.

Stunned

Legs of 14, 14 and 15 darts saw Smith breeze through the fifth set, and a remarkable comeback was complete when double two was taken out in the deciding leg of the sixth.

With the momentum well and truly with the 39-year-old, Smith opened up a 2-0 lead in the deciding set, including a stunning 128 checkout before sealing his passage to the last 16 on double eight.

After the match a stunned McDine said: "To be 3-0 up and lose 4-3 is a joke. I played too well to lose."

The final game of the afternoon session saw 2004 World Championship finalist Kevin Painter end Spanish qualifier Carlos Rodriguez's dream with a 4-1 win.

Daventry dartist Painter averaged 92.35 and made his Spanish opponent pay for missing doubles at regular intervals and will face Phil Taylor in the last 16.