QUALIFIER Kirk Shepherd, from Kent, stunned Wayne Mardle 6-4 to set up a PDC World Darts final against Canada's John Part.

Mardle had been tipped to see off Shepherd after defeating 13-time world champion Phil Taylor in the last eight.

He took the first set 3-0, but Shepherd, a sheet metal worker from Ramsgate, refused to be intimidated.

He led 3-1 before Mardle fought back to 4-4, but Shepherd held his nerve to triumph.

Part had earlier booked his place in the final on New Year's Day with a resounding 6-2 win over Kevin Painter.

At 21 years and 88 days Shepherd will be the youngest finalist in the history of both world darts championships, two days younger than Jelle Klaasen, the Dutchman who won the BDO crown in 2006.

Shepherd, rated as a 500-1 outsider at the start of the tournament, stressed that would not be content with just a place in the final.

He said: "I'm on cloud nine. I'm pinching myself all the time. I believe I can do it. I know I can win this."