BRADFORD darts ace Joe Cullen was on top form last night at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix in Coventry, knocking seventh seed Daryl Gurney out with a 2-1 first round victory.

Northern Irishman Gurney had beaten Cullen on his way to winning the tournament three years ago, but there was to be no repeat here.

Cullen roared out of the blocks, firing in a stunning 11-darter to take the opening leg, before continuing his good start by taking out double eight to break Gurney in leg two.

And when Gurney blew two efforts at tops to nail a 94 checkout in leg three, Cullen rattled in a two-dart 76 to clinch the set without reply.

Gurney hit back, leaving 'The Rockstar' on the back foot early on in the second set, as he raced into a two-leg lead.

But Cullen then won two legs on the spin, breaking Gurney with a 14-dart leg, before taking full advantage when the Northern Irishman failed to check out a regulation 56.

Cullen had the chance to wrap up the contest in the next leg, but faced with a 100 checkout, he missed a match dart at double 20.

Gurney cleaned up to level with double 16, taking the game to a deciding set.

The Bradfordian was broken in the first leg of the final set, but hit back to do the same to Gurney in leg two thanks to a wonderful 12-darter.

The pair both traded the next two to take it to a last-leg decider, which crucially was on 'The Rockstar's' throw.

Both men made a bad start, but Cullen pulled away with a brace of two-treble visits.

Gurney threatened to spoil the party with a 123 to leave 114, but by this point Cullen only needed 60 to win.

He did that with ease, closing the game out with a 14-dart finish.

The 2-1 win for Cullen, only his second ever victory at the event, means he will now take on unseeded Welshman Jonny Clayton in the second round tomorrow night.

Clayton made it through by beating Ian White 2-1 in the first round.