Martin Adams reached the second round after a tense match ©Getty Images

Three-time champion Martin Adams battled into the British Darts Organisation (BDO) World Championship second round after a tense match with Ryan Joyce.

The 2007, 2010 and 2011 winner found himself 2-1 down in the all-English affair at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green.

With Adams looking likely to suffer a first round defeat for the second straight year, the 60-year-old, who is nicknamed Wolfie, produced an impressive comeback to triumph by three sets to two.

It would prove a more straightforward contest for Scott Mitchell, with the Englishman cruising past New Zealand’s Mark McGrath.

The second seed, who won the Championship in 2015, would mark out his credentials for the title by overcoming his first round opponent 3-0.

Scott Mitchell eased through his first round match ©Getty Images
Scott Mitchell eased through his first round match ©Getty Images

Krzysztof Ratajski won a preliminary match 3-2 against the Dutchman Willem Mandigers, with the triumph seeing the Polish player set up first round tie with The Netherlands’ Wesley Harms.

Australia's Raymond Smith was also a winner in the preliminary round, overcoming Belgium's Davy van Baelen 3-2.

Lisa Ashton, the two-time winner of the women’s event, booked her place in the quarter-finals as the second seed beat The Netherlands’ Sharon Prins 2-0.

England’s former runner-up Fallon Sherrock then defeated Scotland’s Olive Byamukama 2-0. 

Both finals at the tournament are due to take place on January 15.