RICHIE Corner knocked out former world number one Mervyn King on his way to a last-16 finish in the PDC Players Championship event at Wigan.

The Mitre player defeated 2002 and 2004 World Championship runner-up King 6-3, having earlier overcome Ross Twell 6-1.

Dmitri Van Den Bergh was then seen off 6-4 before Corner’s run was ended by the same scoreline against former BDO World Championship semi-finalist Robbie “Kong” Green.

Fellow York player Chris Quantock, meanwhile, was whitewashed 6-0 in the first round to eventual winner and world number one Michael Van Gerwen, who threw a nine-dart finish on his way to defeating Robert Thornton 6-2 in the final.

A day before, both Corner and Quantock had qualified for the Gibraltar Darts Trophy to be held from May 12 to 14.

The former beat top South African Devon Petersen (6-4) and Aden Kirk (6-2) to secure his place in the field with the latter overcoming Ricky Evans (6-3), Richard North (6-1) and Tony Newell (6-5).

Both Minstermen missed out on qualification for the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, however, with Quantock going down 6-4 to Mick Todd and Corner losing 6-5 against 2006 World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Jones after a 6-4 victory over Stuart Kellett.

In the second Players Championship tournament, Quantock won 6-5 against Mark Barilli, but was then edged out 6-5 by Josh Payne.

Corner fell at the first hurdle 6-5 to Matt Clark.