FORMER Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship Kevin Painter managed to avoid a giant-killing as the first round of this year's tournament drew to a close.
Painter watched world number one Colin Lloyd and number three seed exit the competition this week, and feared that he could suffer the same fate against rookie Dale Newton.
Although the 22-year-old from Blackpool managed to take a set from the 2004 finalist, Painter had too much class to begin his challenge for the title in good form.
"When you look at some of the players who have gone out, you know you have to be careful of everybody and it was in my mind, so I'm pleased to get through," said Painter.
"I never really felt stretched to the limit and I think I played well all the way through. I'm looking good and I'm feeling good and I'm quite happy."
The final first round games saw four more seeds knocked out of the tournament, with former semi-finalist Dave Askew the biggest-name casualty.
He lost 3-0 to Canadian national champion Gerry Convery, while Alex Roy suffered the same fate against little-known St Helens-based qualifier Alan Tabern.
German Tomas Seyler defeated Jamie Harvey in straight sets, but his fellow countryman Andree Welge lost to Alan Warriner-Little.
Andy Smith celebrated his Purfleet debut by defeating Colin Monk, while Belgian Erik Clarys had too much for Barbados' Winston Cadogan.
Highly-fancied Chris Mason produced one of the day's best performances, coming from a set down to win 3-1 against Steve Hine.
Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship - First Round
Day Four Results
Jamie Harvey 0-3 Tomas Seyler - Report
Erik Clarys 3-0 Winston Cadogan - Report
Colin Monk 0-3 Andy Smith - Report
Dave Askew 0-3 Gerry Convery - Report
Alex Roy 2-3 Alan Tabern - Report
Kevin Painter 3-1 Dale Newton - Report
Chris Mason 3-1 Steve Hine - Report
Alan Warriner-Little 3-0 Andree Welge - Report
Highlights from previous days and audio interviews can be found here
Second Round
Monday 26 December
John Kuczynski v Jan van der Rassel
Andy Jenkins v Wayne Jones
Gary Welding v Erwin Extercatte
Peter Manley v Jason Clark
Tuesday 27 December
Denis Ovens v Steve Alker
Mark Walsh v Dennis Smith
Roland Scholten v Tomas Seyler
Dennis Priestley v Adrian Lewis
Kevin Painter v Wes Newton
Phil Taylor v Matt Clark
Mark Dudbridge v Alan Tabern
Wednesday 28 December
Terry Jenkins v Andrew Hamilton
Ray Carver v Andy Smith
Alan Warriner-Little v Gerry Convery
Wayne Mardle v Erik Clarys
John Part v Chris Mason