Darts: Winstanley misses out in Frimley Green final

Martin Adams came through a thrilling duel with BDO World Championship debutant Dean Winstanley to pick up his third title in last night's final at Frimley Green.

The 54-year-old Londoner, a winner in 2007 and 2010, looked in danger on a number of occasions before running out a 7-5 winner against his 29-year-old Doncaster opponent.

"I had to dig deep," Adams said. "Deano had me in all sorts of problems.

"I thought 'what do I have to do now?' It means it's number three and that equals one or two records. I want to win a third one next year for the hat-trick."

After taking a two-set lead, Adams was pinned back to 2-2 by the Doncaster thrower, before falling 4-3 behind.

The see-saw nature of the contest continued to 5-5, before Adams called on his experience to move ahead and win 7-5.

"The better man won on the night, he deserves it. But it was nice to see the man with the beard shake," Winstanley said.

The win for Adams sees him equal John Lowe's record of three wins with only Raymond van Barneveld (four wins) and Eric Bristow (five wins) ahead of him.

Yorkshire thrower Winstanley was proud of his performance, despite falling short against the top seed.

After opening up a 2-0 lead, Adams was in danger of running away with the match but he missed a 120 checkout which would have put him 3-0 up and Winstanley capitalised to hit double eight with his second dart to pull back a set and then levelled the match in the fourth set with double top.

Adams recovered to go 3-2 ahead as Winstanley failed to win a leg and he could have taken a 4-2 lead but missed eight doubles as the Yorkshireman's double five ensured the players went into the break level at 3-3.

Winstanley took the next set to go ahead for the first time in the match but Adams responded to level it at 4-4 before Winstanley again edged ahead.

With the tension rising, Adams won the opening leg of the 10th set against the throw and double 16 then edged him 2-0 ahead. Although Winstanley took the third leg with his second attempt for double 20, Wolfie took the set 3-1 to level the match at 5-5.

A brave two-dart 62 finish, completed on double 16 put Adams 6-5 ahead and that was the end of Winstanley's challenge.

Adams hit two 180s in the final set and narrowly missed a 161 match-winning checkout but on his return he smashed in single nine and double eight for the title.