THIRTEEN-TIMES world champion Phil Taylor survived an epic tussle with Lancashire's Alan Tabern to advance to the fourth round of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Tabern looked set for a 4-2 win when he needed 116 for the match with his opponent back on 187 but Taylor fired in a superb 171 to leave double eight, which he hit with his third dart to force a deciding set.
Tabern had the advantage of throwin
g first but missed two darts to go 2-0 ahead and the next two legs went with the throw to leave both players needing to win by two clear legs.
The 41-year-old from St Helens took out a superb 160 finish to lead 3-2 but Taylor came back with a 13-dart leg to level the scores once more.
The next two legs went with the throw before Taylor crucially broke Tabern's throw to lead 5-4, and the 47-year-old from Stoke then fired in consecutive 180s to help seal a thrilling 4-3 victory. Defending champion Raymond van Barneveld had earlier raced into the next round with a 4-1 victory over Jason Clark.
Despite reportedly suffering from the flu, van Barneveld was never in any real danger.
Earlier in the day, world No.5 Andy Hamilton slumped to defeat against Alex Roy.
Hamilton, a semi-finalist 12 months ago, was beaten 4-1 by the world number 27, who will face John Part in the next round.
Tony Eccles made a miraculous comeback from 3-0 down against Steve Maish to continue his dream debut in the event.
Maish missed several darts for the match before Eccles snatched it in a decider.
Former runner-up Mark Dudbridge set up a third-round date with No.3 James Wade following a 4-2 win over Ronnie Baxter.
Wayne "Hawaii 501" Mardle overcame Roland Scholten 4-3 to book his place in the last eight.
The Essex man will now take on Taylor in the quarter-finals.
