Wade marches on at Alexandra Palace

WORLD number three James Wade avoided a scare against Brendan Dolan before beginning his challenge in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a win on Tuesday night.

Wade has endured a torrid autumn since winning the UK Open and reaching the finals of the Las Vegas Desert Classic and World Matchplay in the summer - but avoided a first round exit at Alexandra Palace.

Northern Irish qualifier Dolan held the early advantage, but missed six darts for the first set before Wade escaped to take the lead.

He then won six of the next seven legs to power to a straight sets victory, which earns him a date with Tony Eccles in round two.

"Brendan started well but he gave me the first set if I'm honest," said Wade. "There was a lot of pressure on me and I'm glad to get through that but I didn't play as I should have done."

Dolan, who came through the PDPA Qualifiers in Telford earlier this month to win a place in the event, started the better of the two and built-up a 2-1 lead in the opening set.

But he preceeded to miss a total of six darts at doubles in the next two legs and Wade punished his opponent for those errors by landing a crucial 106 checkout to snatch a 1-0 lead.

After that first set scare, Wade stormed through the second, taking it without reply to double his advantage.

He hit double ten to win the first leg, and won the next with a 90 finish, despite the Northern Irishman registering his second maximum of the game.

And he duly wrapped up the set in the third, landing double ten for the second time in the set to move clear.

The world number three then opened up a 2-0 lead in the third set to go to within touching distance of victory.

Dolan stemmed the tide in third by hitting double 16 to end a run of seven straight legs from Wade, who replied with a 13-darter to ensure a second round clash with Eccles.

Eccles - a 3-2 winner against Remco van Eijden earlier on Tuesday - had knocked Wade out in round one of the World Grand Prix in October, but he added: "Lightning won't strike twice.

"I've been under par lately but I've been practising hard and am feeling good."

Dolan said: "Neither of us got going and if I'd won the first set it may have been a different story.

"I was chasing the game after that but it's been a great experience and I'll be better for it. I've enjoyed the year overall and am looking forward to 2009."