Wayne Mardle will take on reigning Rileys Darts Zones UK Open champion Phil Taylor at the Reebok Stadium as the tournament enters the third round stage.

Mardle overcame Mick McGowan 6-3 as the £200,000 event kicked off on Thursday night, with the Essex man holding off the challenge of both the Irishman and his own nerves to progress to the last 64 in Bolton.

Peter Manley suffered disappointment in his bid to retain a place in the world's top 32, losing 6-3 in the second round to St Helens-based 19-year-old Michael Smith.

Reece Robinson, a qualifier from Hull, was rewarded for three victories on the night with a clash against World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock in the third round.

Another eye-catching youngster was Ireland's William O'Connor, who whitewashed Stuart Monaghan in round one with a 94 average and then defeated Stoke's Mark Frost 6-3 to reach the last 32 in his first ever appearance in a major tournament.

Bradford's young star Joe Cullen, 20, overcame Darren Latham and Mike Nott to reach the third round, where he meets world number four Mervyn King.