World Darts Championship: James Wade fights back to beat Keegan Brown and seal last-16 spot

Wade eventually found his range to take the fifth set 3-0 and went on to progress in the decider against the player who had ended his world title hopes last year

James Wade celebrates defeating Keegan Brown (PA)

Ninth seed James Wade produced a fine comeback to beat Keegan Brown 4-3 and secure his place in the last 16 of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Englishman Wade had apologised for controversial post-match comments that he "wanted to really hurt" Japanese opponent Seigo Asada after his previous victory at the Alexandra Palace, blaming his actions on a "hypomanic episode".

Despite enduring a hostile reception from large sections of the crowd and having found himself facing another stern test as Brown moved into a 3-1 lead, there was no repeat of any such outburst.

Wade eventually found his range to take the fifth set 3-0 and went on to progress in the decider against the player who had ended his world title hopes last year.

The 35-year-old from Aldershot will face the impressive Ryan Joyce for a quarter-final place.

Keegan Brown had been on top early in the match (PA)

Mervyn King was, though, another of the seeds to fall in round three, beaten 4-2 by Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan.

The number-19 seed, twice a semi-finalist, had battled back to level the match at 2-2 following a 14-dart finish.

However, Dolan responded to break King and take the fifth set on a decider before closing out victory with a 95.73 average, reaching the last 16 for the first time.

Dolan, who saw off 14th seed Joe Cullen in round two, will play either Benito Van De Pas or Toni Alcinas for a place in the last eight.

In Sunday's early match, Chris Dobey battled through 4-3 against Vincent Van der Voort.

After the first four sets went with throw, Dutchman Van der Voort broke twice to lead 3-2.

However, Englishman Dobey recovered with a flawless set to force a decider, and progressed with a 97.87 average to set up a fourth-round match against number-four seed Gary Anderson.

PA