GWENT third seed Gerwyn Price survived a huge scare against William O’Connor to reach the third round of the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Price, from Markham, was twice a leg away from crashing out of the tournament, but Ireland's O'Connor was unable to deliver the fatal blow.

With the deciding set tied at 2-2 in legs, O'Connor approached the oche needing four points to go ahead, but a lapse in concentration saw him attempt double one.

Having missed his opportunity, Price took out 75 to break the throw and then win the second-round tie courtesy of a 13-dart leg.

With Rob Cross and Michael Smith among the seeded players to fall at the first hurdle, Price showed determination to avoid joining them but admitted he never felt at ease on the big stage.

"That's the most uncomfortable I've ever felt in a darts match, I couldn't handle the heat up there," admitted Price, who will meet John Henderson in round three.

"From the moment I walked out I never felt at ease and I ended up chasing Willie throughout – he was probably the better player.

"He put me under pressure, and I knew I don't have the best of records here, but a win's a win.

"I had a bit of luck with Willie going for the wrong double at the end, but I'm not going to tap him on the shoulder and tell him that!

"I've won tournaments before where I should've gone out in my first game so maybe this could be another one of those."

After edging the opening set 3-2, Price lost both the next two 3-1 to go within a set of a shock early exit.

Set four went to a deciding leg, putting the Welsh number one on the brink for the first time in the contest, but Price found a last-dart double six for a 15-dart leg when he needed it most.

With O'Connor 2-1 up in the deciding set, another 15-dart leg from Price took the match to a tie-break, before the Irishman’s blunder allowed the event’s second favourite to go ahead for the first time since set one.

Price produced a timely 180 in the next leg, followed by a 134 set-up shot to leave double 18 which he pinned with his first dart to relieve fears of another early exit.