PHIL TAYLOR recovered from an early scare to defeat Matt Clark 4-1 in the second round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship and remain on course for an unprecedented 13th title.
Kent star Clark, ranked 31 in the world, stunned Taylor by winning the first set 3-1 to take a shock lead.
But the defending champion came back strongly, winning 12 out of the next 14 legs to storm into the next round.
"I'm through and happy with that," said Taylor. "Matt's a steady player and he did well.
"With the format getting longer you can afford to lose a set, but not two, so I had to step my game up a bit. But I'm getting more confident as the rounds go on and it gets longer."
Taylor's opponents in the last two Purfleet finals, Kevin Painter and Mark Dudbridge, also progressed to round three.
Painter came from behind to edge out Wes Newton 4-3, while Dudbridge overcame St Helens qualifier Alan Tabern 4-0.
Highly-fancied 20-year-old Adrian Lewis - Taylor's practice partner and protégé - also booked a place in the last 16 with a 4-2 win over former World Champion Dennis Priestley.
Earlier in the day, Welsh qualifier Steve Alker knocked out number nine seed Denis Ovens, Dennis Smith breezed past Mark Walsh and Roland Scholten ended German Tomas Seyler's hopes.
Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Second Round - Day Six
Afternoon Session
Denis Ovens 1-4 Steve Alker - Report
Mark Walsh 0-4 Dennis Smith - Report
Roland Scholten 4-2 Tomas Seyler - Report
Evening Session
Dennis Priestley 2-4 Adrian Lewis - Report
Kevin Painter 4-3 Wes Newton - Report
Phil Taylor 4-1 Matt Clark - Report
Mark Dudbridge 4-0 Alan Tabern - Report
Best of seven sets
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