PDC Darts: Raymond van Barneveld loses to Mark Webster

Mark Webster and Raymond van Barneveld

Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld is out of the PDC World Championship after being beaten by Mark Webster in the last 16.

The Dutch veteran went down 4-3 to his 30-year-old Welsh opponent at London's Alexandra Palace.

Webster, seeded 26, told Sky Sports: "I held myself together really well at the end. My career was hanging by a thread going into this tournament."

The 2008 BDO champion is aiming to beat his third-place PDC finish in 2010.

Van Barneveld made the early running and took the opening set before wasting some good opportunities and allowing Webster to level.

The 46-year-old was not to be denied though, and eventually took the third courtesy of a superb 110 checkout.

Again Webster responded, and again Van Barneveld nosed in front, this time to within a set of booking his place in the quarter-finals.

The Welshman was in no mood to lie down though, and forced a deciding seventh set by nailing double 10.

He then held his nerve to seal victory and send his illustrious opponent home.

Earlier on Friday Peter Wright advanced to the quarter-finals with a 4-3 victory over world youth champion Michael Smith. He will face Wes Newton, who defeated Scotland's Robert Thornton 4-1.

In the day's other games, Australian Simon Whitlock beat Kevin Painter 4-0, Ian White beat Richie Burnett 4-3 and world number 11 Justin Pipe lost 4-1 to Devon Petersen.