GWENT'S John Burton is one step closer to realising his dream of a place in the Embassy World Darts Championships semi-finals, earning the praise of Bobby George in the process.

Veteran George said after Chepstow's Burton beat Englishman Darryl Fitton: "He played very well. His style reminds a lot of Jocky Wilson.

"He's got a lot of humour, too and that's great. We need people like him in the game."

Burton hit back from 1-0 down to take three sets on the bounce with some electric darts.

Burton said: "I didn't play that bad throughout, Darryl just got a better start, but I always knew I was capable of hitting the darts.

"It took me a set to settle, but once I did I soon got my game going. I think at one point we had five legs in a row of 14 to 15 darts. That's the type of form I want and I think there's more to come."

Burton tackles former world champion Raymond Barneveld next. "I think I have a good chance. The pressure is all on him and he knows it," he said.

* Wales' Ritchie Davies believes he is capable of defeating champion Tony David in their quarter-final tomorrow.

Davies clinched his place with a superb 3-0 win over ex- champion John Walton.