It was hardly vintage Phil Taylor, although the fifteen-time world champion played well enough to beat Gary Mawson in the first round of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship.

The pressure of trying to win a sixteenth world crown appeared to be resting heavy on the shoulders of The Power, although he was in a lose-lose situation against an American opponent who had only made it through from the preliminary stage hours before.

While Taylor’s performance will encourage James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld and Simon Whitlock in thinking that they can topple this legend of darts, the 50-year-old will now be able to return home to Stoke and return with the hunger and desire to beat his rivals yet again.

Mark Webster was in impressive form earlier on Thursday night when beating Steve Maish, with the former BDO champion winning in straight sets to book his place in the second round.

However, another former world champion is out after Steve Beaton lost by three sets to two against Mark Hylton, with the former air steward holding his nerve in the decider to ensure he will return to Alexandra Palace after Christmas.