KEVIN PAINTER felt that his experience proved crucial as he overcame Barrie Bates in the first round of the 2006 Stan James World Matchplay.
The world number 11 reached the second round for just the third time in six years with a 10-8 win on Monday night.
However, Bates produced a spirited comeback from 9-4 down, when Painter missed a dart to wrap up the win.
"Every player in this is a great player," said Painter. "When you're 9-4 up against a qualifier and they come back and nearly make it awkward for you, it shows the standard of players in the PDC at the moment.
"Barrie's a fantastic player and if he'd taken that 160 out in the last leg (to make the score 9-9), who knows what would have happened?
"I'm just grateful that I held myself together.
"Early on my experience showed when Barrie missed and I came in to take some nice little shots out, and that's what's got me through this round."
Painter has never reached the quarter-finals in Blackpool, and is determined to get back into form after first-game losses in the Budweiser UK Open and Las Vegas Desert Classic this summer.
"It meant a lot," said Painter, who celebrated with a dive across the stage.
"I've been practising really hard since Las Vegas. In the UK Open I played really well but lost to John MaGowan, who was outstanding and Andy Hamilton was brilliant in Las Vegas, but I was very disappointed after that.
"I've been on the practice board ever since then and I just needed to get through that first round and that's why I dived across the stage - I wish I hadn't done it - I've got carpet burns now!
"I've got a poor record here but it's not just that. Recently I've dropped down the rankings and things are going against me at the moment so it's nice to get that win under my belt."
Painter also revealed that his decision to return to the light blue shirt - the colours of his beloved Ipswich Town - was down to superstition.
"I suppose there is a reason for it," he admitted.
"I've been playing in a black shirt and some other shirts recently, but this shirt is the one I've done all my damage in previously and I got to the World Championship final in.
"People like this shirt and ask me why I don't wear it - I'm going to keep on wearing it now!"