Joe Cullen stunned Gerwyn Price in an epic last-16 clash at the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool last night.

The Welshman was favourite to win the tournament, with Michael van Gerwen knocked out in the opening round, but after a titanic tussle with Cullen at the Winter Gardens, it was the Wyke native who prevailed 13-11 in a tiebreak.

Cullen had impressed in beating Mike De Decker 10-7 in the first round, and he roared out of the blocks here, taking a 4-1 lead to put Price on the back foot with some excellent finishing, not missing any of his chances at double.

Price hit back after that first interval, but a superb 112 checkout, including a very difficult treble 20 with the route to the target appearing blocked, kept Cullen’s nose in front at 6-4.

But the Welshman showed exactly why he is one of the world’s best, producing a stunning comeback to lead 10-8 and put himself just a leg from victory.

Yet the Bradfordian closed the gap to one, before Price had a dart at bullseye to win the match.

He missed, while Cullen hit the same target in checking out 81 to level the game at 10-10.

That meant the game went to a tiebreak, with a win needed by two clear legs.

Another spot-on bullseye earned the Wyke man an 11-10 lead, before he finally emerged victorious from the 24th and final leg.

Price missed two darts at double 10 to take out 74, and for the second time in the match, Cullen produced a nerveless checkout of 112 to claim a famous win.

He will take on Daryl Gurney, who beat Gary Anderson 11-4 in the last-16, in the first of the four quarter-finals tomorrow night.