FERRYHILL Flyer Phill Nixon had his legions of fans on the edge of their seats last night as he edged a thrilling nine-set quarter final, 5-4, to take his place in the Lakeside World Darts Championship, BDO, semi-final at Frimley Green.

Nixon appeared to be cruising to victory only to start missing doubles, allowing his Scottish opponent, 15th seed Paul Hanvidge, back into the game.

The 50-year-old led 4-1 in sets and was 2-1 up in legs in set six. He had three darts at the double to win the match but missed that chance.

He was again first to the double in the next leg only to miss out again.The Scotsman won the set and then the next two to haul himself back into contention.

The pressure was clear to see on both players faces but Hanvidge was now in the ascendancy. Nixon's game appeared to have deserted him at that point, but in the deciding ninth set he dug deep and somehow found his form again.

The first three legs all went against the darts to leave Nixon 2-1 up and, again, one leg from victory.With 105 left to win and Hanvidge well behind, Nixon had three darts to secure his place in the semi-final.

He nailed the treble 20 and then hit a single five to leave double top. One dart for glory and this time he had the nerve to send his arrow into the double bed.

Close to tears he saluted the crowd and kept his dream of wining the world title well and truly alive.

The win sets up a last four game against Niels de Ruiter today, and a guaranteed cheque for £11,000.

De Ruiter kept Dutch hopes of winning the title alive with a 5-4 quarter-final triumph over Northumberland's Gary Robson.

The 23-year-old, beaten in the first round on his debut in this event last year, was the only one of the seven-strong contingent from the Netherlands to reach the last eight.

And he will now contest today's semi-finals after recovering from 2-0 and 4-2 down against the man who had ousted his compatriot, 17-year-old pre-tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen, in his opening match.De Ruiter, nicknamed The Excellent Dude, looked to be heading for defeat when, after levelling the match at 2-2, he lost the deciding leg of the fifth set despite hitting two 180s.

Robson took that leg with a superb 121 checkout and also won the next set to put himself on the brink of victory.But back came the 11th seed and, after reducing his arrears to 4-3, he restored parity again after a 160 finish to take the contest all the way.

Both players struggled to hold their throw, Robson hitting 93 on the bullseye to save the match, before De Ruiter finally made the breakthrough and pegged double 18 with his sixth match dart.

"I was proud of myself that I kept fighting," said De Ruiter, a business student who also works part time for a letting agency. "When I was 2-0 down I still believed in myself.It would be fair to say it's surprising that I am the only Dutchman left in the competition, but it has been a surprising tournament."

Robson, from Northumberland, admitted he had let a great chance to reach the final slip by.

"I missed too many doubles," said the 39-year-old. "In my first match Michael van Gerwen missed doubles against me and I took advantage, and Niels has done the same to me tonight.I fell asleep every time I was ahead.

"I had the experience up there and didn't use it. It just didn't happen for me tonight. I think Niels only deserved to win two sets but thats my fault.I think Ive been involved in the three best matches of the tournament. I've certainly used my time on stage."