Steve Beaton booked his place in the last sixteen of 2009 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts after coming through a final ninth leg decider against Kevin McDine in a crucial Group F encounter this evening at Wolves Civic Hall.
This exciting encounter saw the 45-year-old part-time driving instructor from Coventry seal victory with double ten after earlier trailing 3-0.
Beaton, known on the oche as Magnum PI, will now meet Australia's Simon 'The Wizard of Oz' Whitlock, the Group E winner who dumped out BDO world champion Ted Hankey also after a ninth leg decider, this Friday evening.
"I didn't want it to go to the last leg but Kevin took his chances early on and put me under pressure," Beaton told ITV4. "The fourth leg was crucial and I had to win it, and that gave me my chance. I was happy to get away with a win at the end."
Meanwhile Group F winner Gary Anderson preserved his 100% record with a 5-2 victory over Holland's Co Stomp and will play Group E runner-up Scott Waites in the last 16.
picture courtesy of PDC.