Darts legend Phil Taylor admitted he was “outplayed” by Shropshire’s Ted Hankey after a setback which left his Grand Slam hopes in Wolverhampton hanging by a thread.

Hankey, of Aqueduct in Telford, defeated 15-time world champion Taylor 5-4 in a thrilling round-robin encounter at the Civic Hall last night.

It was the first time the pair have met competitively and the defeat has left Taylor – who has won all three previous stagings of the tournament – having to defeat Wes Newton in his last group game tomorrow to reach the last 16 and the knockout stages.

“Ted outplayed me,” admitted Taylor, who wore glasses for only the second time in a match.

“My darts were clipping the wires just on the wrong side and I know I didn’t play as well as I can.

“I’m struggling with the glasses and, because it’s new for me, I’m thinking about it all the time. But I’ve got to get used to them.”

Hankey, who has himself won two world titles, started the game in style with a 15-darter in the opening leg and a 13-dart checkout to break throw and lead 2-0.

Double eight got Taylor on the scoreboard in the third, before double five with a high-pressure last dart – as Hankey waited on 40 – saw him level the tie.

Both players stepped up a gear after the break, with a 12-dart finish from Hankey bettered by an 11-darter from Taylor, who hit a 180 and a 90 finish of bullseye and double top.

Hankey hit his second maximum of the match and an 81 finish with another 12-dart leg as he moved 4-3 up and to the brink of victory – only to then see two match darts go begging at double 19 in the eighth leg.

That allowed Taylor to level but Hankey opened with a fourth maximum of the game and also added a 140 before hitting double five for a 14-dart finish to claim a memorable triumph and seal his place in the next round with a match to spare.

Scott Waites and Colin Lloyd also booked their places in the last 16 by maintaining their unbeaten starts with impressive wins over Martin Phillips and Raymond van Barneveld respectively.

Co Stompe hit a key 148 finish in defeating Adrian Lewis 5-3 to knock the Stoke ace out of the tournament.

The first eight qualifiers for the knockout stages will be revealed tonight as the final round-robin matches are played in four groups.

By JAMES GARRISON