issued the perfect response to the crowd at Ally Pally after he was booed for not trying to finish on a bullseye before going onto advance to the last-16.

Leading 2-1 against Ian White, Littler had lost the first leg of the fourth set when he fashioned a chance to hit straight back. Needing 50, the teenager instead opted to play safe and hit a single 10, with White nowhere near a finish of his own.

But the move prompted jeers from the crowd, and Littler opted to react by making facial expressions in their direction on his way back from the board.

He soon justified his decision though. Despite missing his first attempt at double tops, he then nailed double 10 with his next dart to take the leg.

'The Nuke' was still made to fight all the way in the set though, with a deciding leg needed before White missed a set dart. Littler then hit his favourite double 10 again and celebrated wildly as he opened up a two set-lead.

It wasn't the first time that the tournament favourite had got involved with the crowd during the clash. He jokingly joined in when they were singing "Ian White, Ian White, Ian Ian White" during the early stages.

White was left to rue his missed opportunity, with Littler proceeding to wrap up the match by taking the fifth set. It followed an indifferent start where his 54-year-old opponent missed chances to take the first set, but then did level the match by winning the second.

But the third was closer to the vintage Littler that fans have come to expect, needing just 40 darts in three legs. And despite being erratic with his finishing, the youngster still landed 12 maximums during the match.

That took his total for the tournament to 22, five clear of second placed Scott Williams. But after his latest win, there was no sign of , instead calmly walking over to embrace his family members.

And speaking afterwards to Sky Sports, Littler admitted he found the contest anything but easy. "It was definitely tough," he said. "Ian threw everything at me. If I hit a 180, he hit back with a 180. I had to keep switched on."

Asked if nerves were a factor, he replied: "I wouldn't say nerves. It was just a case of settling in quick. After the first break, I was really up for it. When you're 3-1 up, you've got that feeling. You're only one set away. Obviously I don't think double 20 and double 10 like me tonight. I don't think I like them."