Waites needs two holds for 5-0, but he's hampered by a bounce-out. Smith, though, looks like the height of the mountain is getting to him, the head gas dropped. Forget that, he's back with a maximum, but Waites tickles the tungsten to leave 32. Three at D16... one needed.

Image source, Rex

I'm not sure I can remember the last time Waites was behind in a leg, certainly not when he's held the darts. Smith looking to consolidate, keeping Waites in his wing-mirror. It's an ugly effort, but he'll come for tops if Waites doesn't take 142. One at D11! Just wide. Smith, though, is all over the board. Waites breaks back and is back on course for 5-0.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport

I'm told by one of my colleagues in the press room that Waites' 7-1 win over Tony O'Shea in the 2013 final was done and dusted in 74 minutes. Unless Smith gets going soon, this one might be done even quicker than that.

That will have gone down well in New Brunswick, Canada, where Smith hails from. They're four hours behind the Lakeside in case you wondered.

Image source, Rex Features

There's an episode of South Park called 'Canada On Strike'. The whole nation downs tools. Smith hasn't thrown in the towel here, but he's being pressured by the ruthlessness of Waites. He speeds up his throw, he mutters to himself, but for most of this leg he doesn't look like breaking. Waites for 117 - tops? No, just too high. Smith for 118? Too high again! Waites, though, misses three at the red bit, letting Smith in to clean up. A precious break.

Kirsty Parker: Got to hand it to these players, they recalculate a check out faster than I can think of my name. 

Stefan Dzisiewski: Downside - doing tax return. Upside -DAAAAAAAAAAAARTS!  

Max Biggins-Craig: Fabulous weekend of sport, dazzling darts & fantastically astonishing FA Cup magic :) Am recodring & re-watching- be rude not to :)

If Waites can break here, it might be the ball game. Smith errs, only 60, but Waites can't punish. Smith, though, is still short of trebles, so has 144 after a 180 gets Waites down to 43. For the set...double 16? No. Double eight? Yes! Waites leads 4-0!

Apparently, according to the statisticians, we've just seen the 32,000th dart of the tournament. 

Smith has the look of a man who could front an indie band. Glasses, gelled hair. He wouldn't look out of place in Weezer. Scotty has no pressure in this leg, racing down to 24. No fuss on the double 12. Big leg coming up. 3-1, or 4-0?

Image source, Getty Images

Oh, Scotty. Against the arrows, his third maximum of the match pressures Smith, who responds to get down to 161. A possible out, but not taken. Waites on 121 for a break. No treble, so a reprieve for Smith. 80 has to go, but tops not found. Waites in for D12. D6? No! Miles away. Smith off the hook with a clutch double five. If that had been missed, it might have been game over.

Image source, Rex Features

Stevie Adams Jr: Scott Waites is leading the final, 3-0, with a 90.96 average. Jeff Smith appears to be choking. Time will tell!

Smith has definitely come back with greater momentum, scoring better, even if the odd loose darts causes him to admonish himself. Waites, though, has D18 for a 115 checkout. Just too low, almost copied exactly by Smith. Waites for D9... taken with the third arrow. We're on throw in set four.

Former Lakeside champion Martin Adams on BBC Two: "I am surprised how Jeff Smith has performed at the moment. I'm surprised Scott Waites is 3-0 up but he's not missing his doubles is he? 

"Waites has won this tournament once already and he knows what it's all about. Watching him play he looks like a champion.

"Jeff needs self belief that he can get that next set and start to close the gap. He needs to come in here next time at 3-3."

Image source, Rex Features

Has the break done Smith some good? With the darts in this fourth set, his scoring improves slightly and he will have at least six darts from 132. Tops is the shot with three in hand, eventually taking out double 10.

Image source, Rex Features

Scott Waites has now played 11 sets in World finals and lost only one of them. He's back after the break and four sets away from a second title.

Bobby George
Former World Championship runner-up

"Scott Waites hasn't given Jeff Smith a chance, he's outscored him. If Jeff does get a shot, it's a high one. Jeff is struggling with his scoring power and is trying to push the darts. He hasn't got the usual power."

"I've noticed with the first three darts Waites throws, if he hits the treble 20 then he does well, if he hits a five, he struggles."

More iffy scoring from Smith gives Waites an easy ride down to a finish, the first there against the darts. Waites come for 126 and has bull for the set... just outside. Still, he comes back for 25 and a 3-0 lead. Two at D8... yes! Scott Waites leads 3-0 and the music gives the Lakeside an excuse to party. Scotty is hotty, the Silencer on mute.

George Riley
BBC Sport commentator

"Scott Waites is punishing every Jeff Smith mistake at the moment."

Smith will know a break could let him in and has found his scoring again, getting down to a finish after nine. He'll have a dip at 136. It doesn't go, so clinical Waites mops up with one dart at D20. Very, very impressive from Waites so far. He's one leg from a 3-0 lead.