Ryan Meikle missed two darts at double 12 to win the first set and he can't afford similar misfortunes if he gets in that position again.

He gets six darts at 167 for the set. A 95 on his first visit still leaves 72, which he misses taking out twice on. Again, at double 12.

Luke Littler needs to take out 161 for the set, but does not.

Meikle misses two more at double 12 for good measure, but does take the last in the visit to level the match.

Luke Littler takes more of a lead in the third leg, needing to win three in a row for the set.

Low scoring from Ryan Meikle is pounced on by Luke Littler, who hits 134 to leave himself 74.

Treble 18, miss, double 10. Littler holds his throw.

Against the throw, Luke Littler breaks a series of visits without a treble with two at the 18s.

Ryan Meikle hits a 140 to put him at a finish first, with a 105 from Luke Littler leaving him at 110.

Meikle can't take 116. Littler comes back for his finish, narrowly missing out on double 20.

The Barber gets two darts for a 2-0 lead in the set, planting the second in double 20.

Ryan Meikle starts the second set with back-to-back two treble visits and puts the pressure on Luke Littler, whose scoring is not at its fleeting best.

Meikle gets six darts at 133, leaving just 40 after the first three.

Meikle pins double 20 in one dart to take the leg.

Luke Littler hit four 180s in five legs in the opening set and averaged around 97, but at times in that set, he did struggle.

For the second set, he has the throw to start off.

One year ago, he was barely a household name in his own home. Now he is a sporting phenomenon.

After emerging from obscurity aged 16 to reach the World Championship final, the life of Luke Littler and the sport he loves has been transformed. Viewing figures, ticket sales and social media interest have rocketed. Darts has hit the bullseye.

This Christmas more than 100,000 children are expected to be opening Littler-branded magnetic dartboards as presents.

His impact has helped double the number of junior academies, prompted plans to expand the World Championship and generated interest in darts from Saudi Arabian backers.

• How darts hit the bullseye with Luke Littler

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Ryan Meikle had two set darts but it's last year's runner-up who leads.

A start fitting of a set-deciding leg. Ryan Meikle and Luke Littler both start with 180s, which Littler then backs up with a 136.

After nine darts, the teenager leaves himself a 100 finish. He gets allowed back for it.

Littler takes out the century. 20, double 20, double 20. Superb.

"The Nuke" struggled in that first set, but that finish was one from the teenager's playbook.

Luke Littler loves a 180. After four legs, he has three of them!

On his throw, Littler leaves himself 140 but can only cut it to 60.

A successful 156 chance for Ryan Meikle brings Littler back. The teenager finds treble 20, but misses double 10 and double five.

Meikle comes back to 75, but misses two darts at double 12.

A let-off for Littler, who levels up on double two.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

A solid start from Ryan, taking that leg in 13 darts.

Ryan Meikle and Luke Littler put on a show at the start of the third leg.

Meikle's second visit is a 180 and Littler matches him. Three 180s in three legs between them.

Meikle and Littler exchange failed checkouts on 141 and 167 respectively before Meikle, who left himself 24, takes out double 12 in one dart.

That's more like it. Five perfect darts from Luke Littler to start the leg. The Alexandra Palace crowd roar!

After nine, Littler is left on 97. The teenager sets up a 52 out, knowing he will be back for it.

Littler takes the leg on double 20 to level up.

Ryan Meikle starts the opening leg well with consecutive two-treble visits, giving himself a good lead over Luke Littler.

After nine darts, "The Barber" sets up a 133 out shot. Meikle does not take it out but leaves himself six more darts at 76.

Meikle misses one dart at and three more at doubles, but Meikle gets another visit, eventually leading on double two.

Luke Littler has started poorly by his rather high standards.

Luke Littler claps the Alexandra Palace crowd before getting a couple of practice throws in.

He exchanges pleasantries with opponent Ryan Meikle before the two get this match going.

Meikle to throw first, game on!

Here we go, then.

Ryan Meikle is out first and comes out to the classic party tune of "This Girl". He gets a few kisses of good luck from his family ahead of what is certainly the biggest night of his darting career to date.

Now it's time for the teenager Luke Littler. "Green Light" by Pitbull was not that well-known among darts fans 12 months ago. Now, it couldn't be more iconic.

He signs an autograph, hugs his parents and and high-fives a number more before orchestrating the crowd on the stage.

He's in a good mood, but it is all business for him.

Luke Littler speaking to Sky Sports: "I only remember bits and pieces from last year. I remember the Christian Kist game very well but not anything from Matt Campbell and Brendan Dolan games.

"I've grown a lot over the last 12 months.

"Both of us Lukes have won the last two tournaments going into the Worlds.

"I've got most of the Man United squad and David Beckham now following me, I've been asking for months. He must've seen Sports Personality of the Year and decided to give me a follow."

Image source, PA

Ryan Meikle, speaking to Sky Sports, on facing Luke Littler: "I've been excited for days now. They don't come any tougher. I've just got to relax and do my best."

Meikle beat Fallon Sherrock in the first round to set up this Saturday showdown.

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

It couldn't have gone much better, could it? There were still question marks after his debut last year and whether he could hack it in the Premier League.

I remember he lost a Euro Tour qualifier and everyone questioned him. He's never had a crisis. Have you ever been the most Googled athlete in the UK?

He's up there with the very best we've seen in the history of darts and this is his debut year. He does special things because he is a ridiculous young talent.

Image source, Getty Images

Now it's time for the moment many have been waiting for. Luke Littler takes on Ryan Meikle next!

A year ago, Littler was 164th in the PDC's Order of Merit and had to go through a first round match just to get to this stage. A year on he arrives straight into round two, fourth in the world and the bookmakers' favourite to become world champion next month.

The talented teenager faces Meikle, ranked 62nd in the current world rankings. Meikle set up this all-England second round clash by beating Fallon Sherrock 3-1 on Tuesday night.

The winner of this match will face either Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White in the third round.

A hold of throw from Nick Kenny is all he needs.

A summary of the last couple legs, Kenny hits a 100 and celebrates like it was a 180.

Kenny finds a 140, which buys him six darts to see off 61 for the match.

15, 14 and a miss at double 16, Kenny will come back for three more darts.

Kenny misses all three, six match darts missed.

Raymond van Barneveld has 132 for the set. A 25 is met with a 19, not enough to see it out.

Kenny goes short on the 16s and the eights and with his ninth match dart, takes the match at double four.

He springs to the edge of the stage and cannot hide his emotions, letting out the tears to celebrate.

FIve-time world champion Van Barneveld falls at the first hurdle!