JOE Cullen believes he can upset two-times darts world champion Adrian Lewis after finally breaking his duck at Alexandra Palace.

The Wyke professional is practising for his first appearance in the second round of the PDC world championship – at the seventh time of asking.

Cullen, seeded 28 after the best year of his career, battled through with a classy win over Australian prospect Corey Cadby.

That set up a Christmas cracker of a contest with Lewis on Friday night – and the former postman reckons he has the form to deliver another first-class performance against 'Jackpot'.

Cullen said: "Adie's a brilliant player and a great guy as well. But if I play my game, I'm confident of the win. I feel I'm playing well. It's just been a hoodoo here – but that hoodoo is over now."

The 27-year-old had to pull out all the stops against current world youth champion Cadby, who is tipped to become one of the sport's next generation of stars.

Cadby, from Tasmania, had clocked up a tournament record for a qualifier with his 102.48 average against Qiang Sun to earn his crack at Cullen.

He maintained that blistering pace to take the opening set, finishing with a 12-darter against the throw.

Cullen was in trouble at 2-1 down in the second but hit a fourth maximum and an 85 check-out to break back before levelling matters with an ice-cool 117 finish.

Two more maximums saw the Bradford player take control of set three and, after Cadby went out from 109 to break in the opening leg of the fourth, Cullen responded with three of the next four.

He sealed that elusive first victory with a double 18 and roared in celebration.

Cullen said: "It's well documented that I haven't won a game here and the way he's been playing, it was always going to be a difficult draw. But I knew if I played like I can, I would be the better player.

"The worst thing you could do after the first set is panic. I didn't do that. I knew if I kept on scoring then everything else would start to come. But fair play to Corey, who played brilliant, and I was just happy to get over the line."