TERRY JENKINS came from 5-2 down to win a place in the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a narrow 10-8 defeat of Robert Thornton.

Jenkins looked on course to exit the tournament when the in-form Scot powered into the lead, but landed nine maximums in pulling back to take the win.

Thornton won the first three legs of the contest, including a bull finish, to give himself the early advantage before Jenkins landed a first maximum in taking leg four in 15 darts.

A missed double top allowed Thornton in for a 4-1 cushion, with the duo trading maximums in leg six before double 19 gave Jenkins the leg.

The Bull, from Ledbury, then landed two 180s in the next, only to miss seven darts at double 18 as Thornton stepped in for a 5-2 lead.

Missed doubles from Thornton in the next two allowed Jenkins to cut the gap to one leg, before a 118 finish put Thornton 6-4 ahead.

Jenkins, though, lifted his game to hit 180s in the next three legs as well as regaining his touch on double top to lead for the first time at 7-6.

Double top saw Thornton level before a 99 finish from Jenkins put him back in front.

Crucially, Thornton missed four darts at double 18 and double nine to square the game in the next leg, and double one from Jenkins put him on the brink of victory.

Thornton battled back with a 180 and a 126 finish for a 12-darter, but Jenkins landed his ninth maximum to set up a finish in the next before sealing the win on double nine.

“I’ve been close for the last couple of years but had a bad spell in the first half of 2008 and think I’m coming back into form,” said Jenkins.

“I was a bit slow in my scoring in the first for or five legs but then I kept hitting 180s in legs and losing legs! But I’m happy to be through.”

Thornton added: “When Terry got going he didn’t miss much and is an outstanding player. I’m not too disappointed to lose because I’m happy with my performance there and improving every week.”

Jenkins faces 2007 World Champion Ray van Barneveld in the quarter-finals tonight.