Ireland's Mick McGowan was denied a place in the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship in London as Kirk Shepherd prevailed after a tie-break.
Duleek man McGowan missed four darts to win the match and eventually it was Shepherd who prevailed 4-3 after taking the final set 5-3.
Also through to the last 16 is Kevin Painter, who powered through with a crushing 4-0 win over Chris Mason.
On the first day of action after a two-day Christmas break, the 2004 runner-up was soon back into his stride at Alexandra Palace.
Mason led in each of the first three sets but Painter hit back each time to move within sight of victory.
Finishes of 112 and 125 then put him on the brink and, after a brief rally by Mason, Painter soon closed out the contest, finishing with a three-dart average of 92.04.
Welshman Barrie Bates edged out Holland's Erwin Extercatte 4-3 to reach the third round for the first time in his career.
Both players had their chances in a tight contest but it was Bates who emerged victorious after Extercatte took the match to a deciding set.
