PETER MANLEY 5-3 ADRIAN LEWIS
(3-0, 3-0, 1-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-0)

PETER MANLEY edged a dramatic tension-filled battle with Adrian Lewis to move into the last four of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The pair enjoyed a superb clash on the oche, which soared into controversy when Lewis walked off stage during the fifth set as nerves began to fray.

After speaking to match referee Russ Bray, Lewis returned and pulled back to 3-2 in sets, but Manley had the final say by taking the win.

"It started when Peter said I was tutting behind his back, but there was someone in the crowd a couple of times tutting even when I was throwing," said Lewis.

"Then I went to throw my darts and Peter said something behind my back. I had enough and walked off, but that has taught me a lot.

"It is a lesson for me but I'll be back and good luck to him for the rest of the tournament."

Lewis, the rookie who has reached the last eight on his first appearance at the Circus Tavern, had already shown his class to come back from a two-set deficit.

Manley won the opening six legs, including a 136 finish, to go 2-0 up before Lewis won the third 3-1.

Lewis also led 2-1 in the fourth set before Manley hit checkouts of 116 and 160 to move 3-1 up.

Lewis punished Manley's missed doubles in the next set to move 2-1 up before the dramatic scenes, although the 20-year-old regained his composure to take the set.

The Stoke youngster then took the opening two legs of the sixth set before Manley again stepped in, hitting his doubles to take a 4-2 lead.

Lewis struck back to win the seventh set with a 97 finish but Manley held his nerve to take the next three legs and victory.

"My main objective is to win and I'm delighted to be in the semis," said Manley, who faces Wayne Jones on New Year's Day.

"I've been relaxed all week and my finishing on big shots has been good. Today I hit the finishes at the right time too.

"Full credit to Adrian for coming back. He has played class darts all week.

"We all have to learn in this game and I learned the hard way over the years. Adrian says he has learned from this and without a doubt he will be back."

Match Stats