By Gareth James
Jonny Clayton suffered last leg agony to miss out on a place in the last 16 of the World Darts Championship.
The Pontyberem thrower fought back from 2-0 down to led 3-2 in the best of seven sets third round battle with Joe Cullen at London’s Alexandra Palace
And Clayton also led the deciding set 2-0 only for Cullen to win three legs on the trot – taking the match with a 100 check-out, hitting two double tops, while Clayton was left on 40.
‘The Ferret’ was looking to book his place in the last 16 for the first time in his career.
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But Cullen, nicknamed The Rockstar, produced the darts he needed at the right time to seal victory.
The duo had met twice in a major event this year, each taking one win apiece.
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But it looked like it was going to be a struggle for Clayton as he trailed two sets to nil early on.
Pic: Luke Walker/Getty Images
But Clayton, who won the World Cup of Darts with Gerwyn Price in November, fought back to lead 3-2 only for Cullen to take it into a decider.
Clayton, seeded 17, raced into a lead winning the first two legs with check-outs of 120 and 106.
But Cullen responded to snatch victory in dramatic fashion with that 100 check out.