The Singaporean, who is appearing in this tournament for the 25th time, came from two sets down to defeat England's Luke Humphries, a two-time quarter-finalist.

Former world youth champion Humphries missed a dart for a four set win but after Lim forced a fifth set he closed out a famous 3-2 win with a 14-darter.

Speaking after his triumph, Lim said: "I'm really grateful that the PDC put on a qualifier and that I won it and got the chance to be here.

"I'm very happy to take that chance. This is one for the old guys."

It was one of four first round contests that went the distance.

Dirk van Duijvenbode of the Netherlands also came from behind as he beat Bradley Brooks in five sets.

Englishman Brooks, making his debut at the tournament, was two sets to one up and won the opening leg of set four, before van Duijvenbode went on a stunning run in which he won nine consecutive legs on his way to pulling a 3-2 win out the fire.

Other contests that went the distance saw Scotland's John Henderson defeat Finland's Marko Kantele, with Henderson missing match darts in set four before taking the decider by three legs to one as he claimed a 3-2 overall victory.

The other match that went all the way saw England's Wayne Jones beat Ciaran Teehan of Ireland 3-2 with 55-year-old Jones producing an impressive performance to take the deciding set without dropping a leg.

The remaining two first round matches on day four were both decided by 3-0 scorelines - with Northern Ireland's Mickey Mansell beating New Zealand's Haupai Puha and Darius Labanauskas of Lithuania beating China's Chengan Liu.

Two second round matches also took place on day four with Adam Hunt overcoming Jamie Hughes 3-0 in an all-English affair and James Wade of England defeating compatriot Callan Rydz by the same 3-0 scoreline.

Tomorrow sees six more first round and two more second round games taking place, with highlights including three-time PDC World Darts champion Michael Van Gerwen of the Netherlands against Scotland's Ryan Murray in round two and England's Deta Hedman aiming to become the second female to win a match in the tournament when she takes on compatriot Andy Boulton in one of the day's first round contests.