Luke Littler couldn't hide his frustration after missing an opportunity to win the match against Gerwyn Price in an entertaining Premier League clash on Thursday.
The teenager has had the better of Price in their previous two meetings with the Welshman bidding for revenge in Glasgow.
But Price was up for the test from the very first leg with both players finding their groove early on.
Nothing could separate them both before Price gave himself a chance to steal victory in the 10th leg after breaking Littler's throw.
Luke Littler was visibly angry with himself
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Price was unable to take advantage with his match dart at double tops with Littler making no mistkae to force a deciding leg.
The Welshman had the advantage of throwing first, but it was Littler who drew first blood with another 180 to start the leg.
The usually reserved Littler gave a fist bump after his start to the leg and he had the first chance at match darts as he attempted to finish on a double-double.
But he missed his mark and threw his final dart in anger before letting out a frustrated outburst as he ripped his darts off the board.
The 17-year-old continued to shake his head in dismay as Price stepped up, who needed just one attempt at double-12 to win the match and progress to the semi-finals.
As Price celebrated at the oche, a visibly frustrated Littler struggled to hide his anger as he put his darts back in their case.
Littler managed to recompose himself and show his class by congratulating Price on the victory.
He's now lost back-to-back games for the first time since turning pro after his defeat at the Players Championship 2 earlier this week.
It's also the first time Littler has lost in the first round of a Premier League night having made it through to at least the semi-final in the first two weeks.
PRICE PUTS OUT LITTLER!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 15, 2024
Gerwyn Price wins through an absolute THRILLER against Luke Littler!
The Welshman fires in a 13-dart hold in the decider to move through to a semi-final clash against Luke Humphries!
📺 https://t.co/gbUt9q25Jh#PLDarts | QF4 pic.twitter.com/rNoNbIcw22
The defeat to Price means Littler won't pick up any points for the Premier League table, meaning he could drop down from third.
With a total of 16 nights in this season's Premier League, Littler will have plenty of time to get back on track.
His main aim will be to finish in the top four and qualify for the play-offs.
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Luke Littler was visibly frustrated
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The Premier League play-offs are held at The 02 in London at the end of May.
Price will be bidding to go one better than last year after he lost to Michael van Gerwen in the final.
His win over Littler now puts him level on points on five.
