THE fact that it was at darts’ biggest showcase made Colin Lloyd’s Ladbrokes World Championship defeat by Beau Anderson all the harder to take for the Colchester star.

Lloyd, who is nicknamed Jaws, bowed out of the £1 million event with a 3-2 loss after being stunned by Australian newcomer Anderson in a sudden-death leg the end of their five-set first-round clash at Alexandra Palace.

It has been a few years since the 40-year-old from Colchester has exited at the first hurdle and he twice hit back from a set behind to level the game.

But he was punished for missing his chances to break throw in a tense fifth set and then saw Anderson take out double eight to progress into the last 32.

Lloyd, who was a semi-finalist in this competition in 2002 and former World number one, said: “I’m gutted because this is biggest competition there is to play in.

“Quite simply it’s the World Championships. I’d feel it for any Major, but this is the Worlds and you look forward to it so much.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow and I’ll be glad to see the back of this year to be honest.

“I think it’s the worst I have ever had on the circuit.

“It’s just a game of darts, though, and no-one has died, so I’ll relax and enjoy Christmas before hitting the practice board and looking to come back firing next year.”

Lloyd said he was pleased to come back after falling behind twice in the game, but was punished for any mistakes by a ruthless Anderson.

“It’s difficult to put into words and unless you play the game you probably wouldn’t understand,” he added.

“One minute the darts were going in and then they weren’t.

“I was hitting the scores and then a few seconds later I couldn’t when I really needed it,” he added.