That leg on Bunting's throw was less important to James Hurrell. This one, on his darts, is crucial.

140, then 97, good scoring from the unseeded player. His friends and family watch on nervously.

Then 134! Big scoring from Hurrell, who has only had 17 trebleless visits to 36 from Bunting.

With Bunting way behind, Hurrell sets up D16 to move one leg away from a famous win.

Back to back 140s from Stephen Bunting to try to raise himself and the crowd.

Then a 180! Sparks of life from the 40-year-old from Liverpool.

Bunting is way ahead on his throw, meaning he can wobble around on the doubles before landing D4.

Image source, Getty Images

The buzz seems to have gone from Bunting. He's throwing all over the board and the crowd, so febrile in his favour, are now much quieter.

Hurrell cleans up a 14-dart leg, he's two legs from victory.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

As good as those finishes were from Stephen - the 161 and 121 - you can't keep relying on taking big finishes out to win sets and win matches.

James averaged over 105 in that set and it's now a set on his darts. The set and the match are in his hands.

And Hurrell has the darts. Three holds and he earns the biggest win of his life.

James Hurrell needs 124 to win the set - T20, single 14 for bull... well wide.

Can Bunting pull out another triple figure finish for a set? Not this time.

And Hurrell lands the tops he needs!

The unseeded player is one set away from beating the world number four.

Hurrell starts up this huge leg with 177, then two T20s... the third is just over the treble.

Bunting in return bangs in 180.

This is a fascinating match.

James Hurrell continues to score with much greater consistency than Stephen Bunting.

Bunting misses a 96 checkout, leaving Hurrell with three at tops - taken!

A 13-dart leg from Hurrell, who will throw for a 3-2 lead.

Image source, PA Media

An irritated James Hurrell starts the following leg with 180. Then two more treble 20s... before landing the next in single one.

Hurrell now has six maximums in this match, to just three from Stephen Bunting.

He cleans up the leg to stay level.

In set four, Bunting averaged 10 fewer points than James Hurrell. It has been a very inconsistent showing by the fourth seed.

And Bunting, who has the darts here, misses a 130 finish - however Hurrell messes up when he has three at D12! He needed to go down to D3, and landed in the single.

He gets a second go - single one, then below double. Bust.

And Bunting steals with D10.

There have been two matches at this year's World Championship that have needed a sudden-death leg to decide a winner.

Scotland's Alan Soutar, in round one, and England's Justin Hood, in round two, have both won at the last gasp.

If we get to a seventh and deciding set and that gets to 5-5 in legs, the winner of the 11th leg will go through to the fourth round.

Image source, PA Media

We've just had a three-day Christmas break from 24 to 26 December. From now, there will be two sessions of play each day until another rest day on 31 December.

The last day of two sessions is Thursday, 1 January 2026. After that, both semi-finals will be played on Friday, 2 January in an evening session.

The final takes place on Saturday, 3 January in the evening.

If Hurrell holds, we are all square.

This has, rather out of nowhere, been a really poor fourth set for Bunting - suddenly he can't land a treble.

Even with a visit of 45 - greeted by a sarcastic 'wow' - Hurrell is still in control.

He needs 97 - lands D19 to leave D20, but hits D1!

Hurrell however gets the finish next time around. All level.

A little like Pikachu earlier, Stephen Bunting's big finishes are masking a few shaky moments elsewhere in his play. Can he avoid the same fate as the German?

Hurrell has three darts at D16 to break here... and finds the third!

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

James Hurrell has got to lift himself again. He was waiting to pounce in set three, he had set darts in set two and he finds himself trailing. He put a lot into that set to get himself back level.

Bunting is now halfway to the last 16.

Hurrell sets up three at tops, but Bunting needs the Big Fish.

T20, T20... wide of bull!

Hurrell with an ice cold D20 in response.

Image source, PA Media

That could be a sickener for James Hurrell, stung by a 100-plus finish by Bunting at a decisive moment for the second straight set.

Bunting now has four treble-figure checkouts in this match.

Hurrell has the throw first in set four, and really needs to hold it.

This feels like a huge leg in the context of the match.

Stephen Bunting with a poor visit of 58, does that allow Hurrell in? Just 100, and he slaps his hands together.

Bunting returns with 123, to set up a 121 finish. But Hurrell lands 180! That leaves the underdog on 27 after 12 darts.

Can Bunting find another massive checkout?

YES!

There have been five 100-plus checkouts in this match, 3-2 in favour of Bunting. Some excellent finishing by both men.

Hurrell can draw level with 74... but misses twice at doubles!

So Bunting needs 122, but is below D7. Hurrell cleans up, and forces a set decider.

Actor Will Mellor is among Bunting's supporters at Ally Pally. He punches the air as Bunting lands 180 - but he won't be happy by a subsequent visit of 41.

Hurrell then lands a maxi himself to remind us all that he's still here.

And he could steal the leg with 137... and he does so with back-to-back tops!

Hurrell roars in delight and defiance.

Image source, PA Media