PHIL Taylor threw perfect darts in Aberdeen last night as he moved joint-top of the McCoy's Premier League.

The 15-time world champion nailed a nine-darter in the 10th leg of his match with Kevin 'The Artist' Painter – his ninth live on television – and went on to wrap up an 8-5 win.

'The Power', who had trailed 4-1 and 5-3, drew level at 5-5 with his magical feat.

The 51-year-old, who now lives at Wychwood Park near Crewe, started with a maximum 180, added 174, then completed the perfect leg with a 147 check-out on treble 20, treble 17 and double 18.

Taylor didn't pick up any prize money and described the reaction of the sell-out 4,000 crowd as "priceless".

He added: "I hit a nine-darter because I had to. Kevin was in control and I had to put him under pressure.

"It's always the tough games where you do something like this because you're not thinking about things.

"It shows that everything I'm doing at the moment with my preparation, I'm doing right.

"The crowd were fantastic as well and really got behind me after the first 180 went in."

World champion Adrian Lewis shrugged off illness to have a nail-biting 7-7 draw against Ray van Barneveld. And the Cross Heath thrower denied maximum points by a sensational 126 check-out in the deciding leg.

But the crowd left talking about Taylor after he reeled off five straight legs to secure victory.

At 3-0 down, Taylor was in deep trouble and it took a sensational 132 check-out to secure his first leg.

With the bullseye obscured, he squeezed his last dart into his target – but better was to come.

Lewis, meanwhile, hadn't thrown a dart since last week's draw with Taylor after being struck down by 'flu and a sell-out crowd booed his every throw.

Despite that, he clawed his way back from 2-0 down to lead 5-2 and after Barneveld roared back, 'Jackpot' went into the final leg leading 7-6.

After nine darts, Lewis was left 51 after firing in his fifth maximum 180, but Barneveld took out 126 on the bullseye to save the match.

Lewis, who had an 11-darter in the sixth leg after starting with back-to-back 180s, said: "I didn't just have to beat Raymond – one of the greatest players ever – I got booed every time I threw as well.

"I hadn't picked up a dart since last week, but my form is good."

Lewis started slowly – his opening throw of 40 was jeered by the crowd – but his first maximum in the third leg kick started him and at 5-2 ahead was in complete control.

Van Barneveld hit back to level and Lewis ensured at least a point by taking out 140 in the 13th leg.

Dresden's Andy Hamilton had the misfortune to be paired with Scottish hero and defending champion Gary Anderson in front of his home crowd. Hamilton threw five maximum 180s, but missed crucial doubles and was beaten 8-2.

'The Hammer' missed four legs to break Anderson's throw in the first leg and by the time he nailed his first double at the 15th attempt, he was in deep trouble at 4-1 down.

Australia's Simon Whitlock raced into a 7-0 lead in his clash with James Wade.

And although the Aldershot star reeled off four successive legs, Whitlock held his nerve to complete an 8-4 win.