Wade pips Painter and moves into the last eight at the Circus Tavern

JAMES WADE edged a final leg thriller to end Kevin Painter's hopes at the coral.co.uk Players Championship.

There was nothing to separate the duo in a tight contest which went all the way to the wire - with Painter missing the bullseye in the decider before Wade set up a quarter-final with Raymond van Barneveld.

Wade hit a maximum in the opening leg of the game, but it was Painter who took the lead on double top.

Wade soon levelled with a 15-dart finish, before Painter converted a two-dart 80 checkout to win the third leg in 14 darts.

Wade won the fourth but missed five opportunities to break Painter's throw in the next and the Daventry-based player managed to hold by landing double four with his third dart.

Wade squared the game in the sixth with a 14-darter, but Painter won the next leg to lead 4-3, before the world number two levelled again.

A 13-darter put Painter a leg away from the match, but double top from Wade ensured a deciding 11th leg.

Painter had the throw in the final leg, and despite a slow start was first to the double - only to miss the bull for a 121 finish before Wade pinned double four.