Norwich's Darren Webster almost overturned a 2-0 deficit as he exited this year's world championship despite a spirited showing.

The 46-year-old's dream of progressing in the PDC's flagship event looked to be over as Dean Winstanley took control of their second-round clash at Alexandra Palace tonight. But Webster produced a stirring fightback to turn the match on its head and take it to a deciding set tiebreaker – which he lost.

Winstanley said: 'Darren did what he always does, he never gives in. I knew even though I was two sets up it wasn't over, I knew he'd come back at me and he did.

'He's like a Yorkshire Terrier who just wouldn't let go, and when it went to 2-2 I knew I had to give everything to try and win it, and that's what I managed to do. What a game, I always do that, make stupid mistakes and let players back in when I should be winning but I just did enough in the end, I'm through, and I can move on now.

'I'm in the last 16 for the first time so who says I can't go all the way now.'

Winstanley held a 2-0 lead in the third and was ahead by the same scoreline in sets before the Norfolk hopeful dug in to win the next three sets and lead 3-2.Webster's opponent stemmed the tie and then produced the goods in a tense finale to win three legs on the spin giving him a 4-2 triumph in the shootout.

Yesterday, Peter Wright made comfortable progress into round three with a 4-1 win over Ronny Huybrechts.

Last year's beaten finalist, who lives at Mendham near Harleston, averaged 95.52 and threw three 180s, but the real quality was in his finishing, as he hit three ton-plus checkouts and was just above 46pc on doubles overall.

Huybrechts had an 87.52 match average, equalled Wright's 180 tally and hit a 104 checkout of his own, but his scoring was always just a few notches behind the number four seed.

The Scot now moves on to a third round encounter with either Andy Hamilton or Kyle Anderson on Tuesday.

'It was a hard battle,' said Wright.

'I got very emotional up there because of all these fans singing my name, I was filling up with tears up there because I'm not used to it.

'It's so great getting all the support from the crowd and I came out feeling fantastic, but the emotion I got from the crowd took over and I found it hard to concentrate.

'I averaged 95 and I've not played well yet in this tournament but I'm through to the next round so I can only improve and get better.'

Wright ran away with the first set quickly, but Huybrechts answered in the next with the same 3-1 scoreline.

The Belgian never got a look-in in the third set as Wright caught fire, taking out 144 in the first leg before hitting a 121 checkout – with Huybrechts on a finish – to double his advantage and also add the third to settle it. A 104 checkout got Huybrechts away in the fourth, but a 180 helped Wright level before a third big finish of 111 put him ahead and tops gave him the set.

After trading legs in the fifth, Wright threw a ten-darter in the next, scoring 180, 140, 165 and double eight to go a leg away from the match.

Huybrechts bravely levelled with a 180 and 47 checkout, but throwing for the match Wright made no mistake, hitting a crucial 140 to set up a 24 which he took out with ease.

Phil Taylor hammered Mark Webster 4-0 to progress.