Dudbridge won last year's Winmau World Masters

Part ended the reign of Phil Taylor a year ago but was beaten 4-3 in a dramatic, third-round clash at Purfleet's Circus Tavern.

Dudbridge won the deciding seventh set 5-3 to defeat his Canadian opponent.

In another titanic game, former world champion Keith Deller came from 3-1 down to edge "Diamond" Dave Askew 4-3.

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Dudbridge won the first two sets only for Part to win the next two.

But the former Winmau World Masters champion opened the fifth set with a 122 checkout before edging it 3-2 thanks to a shot at double 14.

Part hit back to take the next 3-1 and the match into a deciding set.

But, after six high-class legs of darts, Dudbridge nailed double top twice to shock the darting world.

The Bristol bricklayer said: "I didn't allow him to dominate me and that's how you have to approach a match of that stature."

Deller looked to be on his way out of the tournament against Askew but dug deep to triumph by five legs to three in the seventh set.

Deller milks the applause after his victory

"I missed so many chances today but Dave wasn't playing well enough to beat me. I won't give up in any match," said Deller.

Deller will play Peter 'One Dart' Manley in the fourth round after his fellow Englishman survived a major scare against qualifier Wayne Atwood.

Manley, who beat Part in the final of the Las Vegas Desert Classic last summer, was pushed all the way before edging the contest 4-3.

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"It was a tough match. I went 3-2 down and I really had to dig deep," said Manley.

"I just kept reminding myself that I was the professional and had to show people what I was capable of."

World number six Dennis Smith booked his place in the fourth round after a hard-fought 4-2 win over Les Fitton.

I think with Part out, no-one will stop the Power - not what I had hoped for! From Pat Smith, New York Have your say

Smith, who has been taking medication to try and clear a serious bacterial infection in his chest, said: "Today was more like a final because I've been struggling (due to illness) and I just wanted get through to the next round."

Smith will play Swindon veteran Bob Anderson, who produced a vintage display to beat Andy "Rocky" Jenkins 4-1.

Anderson surged into a 3-0 lead before Jenkins stopped the rot in the fourth, but the 56-year-old rallied - completing a 156 checkout on the way - to progress.

Ronnie Baxter, who has been plagued by a back injury, progressed with a 4-2 win over Belgium's Erik Clarys.

In the final match of the day, Kevin Painter overcame a determined Paul Williams to clinch his spot in the next round.

'The Artist' led 3-1 in sets and was two legs up at one stage in the fifth set, but Williams fought back to take the match to a decider.