Brendan Dolan exited the PDC World Darts Championship on Monday after an absorbing third-round clash with one of the tournament favourites Gerwyn Price.
The Fermanagh man - ranked 30th in the world - pushed his Welsh opponent all the way before losing out 4-3 after a deciding leg in the final set.
With Price averaging just below 100 and Dolan 97.30, there was little to choose between them throughout the encounter.
The game came down to the final leg and with both players left on 72, it was Price who held his nerve on double-top to book his place in the last 16.
With a whole host of big names out already, including defending champion Peter Wright, Price will be considered one of the main contenders for the crown.
However, speaking after the match, he was full of praise for his opponent Dolan, who rued his poor start to the final leg on social media after the match.
GUTTED to lose that.
I gave Gerwyn a game but the start in the last leg killed me. Good luck for the rest of the tournament Gezzy.
I knew the two darts at 11s in the first set could come back to haunt me and it eventually did.
Thanks to everyone for your support.
Brendan. pic.twitter.com/CG4jcJUYys— Brendan Dolan (@BrendanDolan180) December 28, 2020
"It was good," Price said having come through.
"I knew I was playing decent, playing better than I was in the first round against Jamie. I knew I just needed to break him early and take the pressure on but I think I put the pressure on trying too hard.
On his opponent, he commented: "Especially on his throw, I don't think he was that good on my throw or my sets but his sets and his throw, he played really really well and it was tough for me to break him.
"I was having one dart or maybe two darts and then he was banging out a big shot and I was like 'yeah, it's one of those days again' but stuck in it until the end until the final leg I thought I was going to win, it was a bit edgy in that last leg."
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