'I will do some damage' - Ricky Evans makes World Darts Championship admission after stunning win

Following two roof-raising walk-ons, Evans drew first blood in a quick-fire opening set, before following up an 11-dart hold with a 104 checkout on tops to double his lead.

Aspinall – a two-time World Championship semi-finalist – had no answer to Evans’ relentless brilliance, and the Kettering ace cashed in to celebrate one of the biggest wins of his career.

"Nathan is one of the best dart players in the world, and I've just done a job on him there," declared Evans, who averaged 99.38 to prevail.

"I'm so so happy. If I can play my darts, I will do some damage, and I showed what I can do there."

"There is a good dart player in there; eventually it will come out, and now I get to enjoy my Christmas dinner!"

Evans will now play Daryl Gurney for a place in the last 16, after the Northern Irishman defied a stirring fightback from Steve Beaton to prevail in a high-quality affair.

Gurney relinquished a solitary leg on his way to establishing a two-set cushion, although Beaton hit back with an 84 skin-saver in set three, having survived a match dart in the previous visit.

The 59-year-old continued his resurgence to lead 2-1 in the fourth, only for Gurney to follow up a majestic 132 checkout with a match-winning 136 outshot to cap off a wonderful display.

“Steve is a legend of the game. He's someone I look up to,” reflected Gurney, a two-time quarter-finalist at Alexandra Palace.

“He is still a class act. He’s almost played in more World Championships than I’ve been alive to see, but if he feels the time is right [to walk away], fair play to him.

“I’m really glad to get over the finishing line. I’m playing really well, but if you don’t take your chances, you can be destroyed by anyone.”

Photo Credit: PDC