Kirk Shepherd's bid for glory at the PDC World Darts Championship was ended in a final-set thriller against Jan van der Rassel on Tuesday.

Shepherd became the youngest finalist in the event's history last year when he battled through the field at Alexandra Palace.

But the former sheet-metal worker from Ramsgate fell at the first hurdle this time as the Dutchman sneaked a five-set win.

Shepherd won the first set and reclaimed a 2-1 lead after his Dutch opponent drew level.

But it was Van der Rassel who hit form in the crucial last set, scoring a 106 checkout after a Shepherd error to take the win.

"I feel sick," said Shepherd. "I was confident that I was going to win today, as I have beaten Jan the two times we have met before.

"But with an average of 83 you are not going to win many matches, and I am gutted to lose. I will have to put in a lot more practice, watch the game again and see where I went wrong."

Australian number one Paul Nicholson joined van der Rassel in the last 32 following a brilliant World Championship debut to whitewash Adrian Gray.

"I'm delighted with that and proud to have made a good start in the World Championship," said Nicholson.

"I've worked so hard to get here and am proud to be representing DartPlayers Australia, who have harnessed my talent and encouraged me over the past year."

Hartlepool's Tony Eccles held off the fightback of Remco van Eijden to progress to round two, with the Dutchman coming from two sets down to level before succumbing in the deciding set.

Qualifier Tony Ayres was Tuesday afternoon's other winner, edging out Andy Smith 3-2 to set up a second-round clash with Andy Hamilton.

It was Smith's second consecutive first-round exit and he can consider himself unfortunate to have lost to the Sussex qualifier after recording six 180s as well as claiming the second without reply.