Brendan Dolan was brushed aside 3-0 by Australia’s Kyle Anderson in the first round of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on Friday night.
Dolan just couldn’t take his chances as he fell at the first hurdle, joining Mick McGowan, who was defeated earlier in the day.
“I’ve a new style of throwing and I felt comfortable with it up there so I think just a wee tweak and it’s going to improve for 2016,” the Fermanagh man said afterwards.
“My focus wasn’t right and it was my focus that let me down at crucial times.”
Meath man McGowan won his preliminary round match against Qiang Sun before meeting Wales' Mark Webster in the first round proper, but Webster had too much quality, easing to a 3-0 success.
Thailand's Thanawat Gaweenuntawong fell to a 2-0 defeat against Rene Eidams of Germany in their preliminary round match.
The spirited Eidams' eventually tumbled to Michael van Gerwen - but not before giving the Dutchman an almighty scare.
World No 1 Van Gerwen scorched into a 2-0 lead having failed to lose a single leg. But the underdog suddenly cast off the shackles to produce some outstanding darts, winning the next two sets to force a tiebreak.
However a rattled Van Gerwen settled himself to eventually emerge from a pulsating encounter and take his place in the next round.
Van Gerwen told Sky Sports 1: "I slipped away for one or two legs and then he was playing well, he didn't play bad after that, he had a couple of good finishes. I never should be in that position, never ever.
"How did I get in that position from 2-0 up? It's a good lesson for me for the next round.
"Always when you're the massive favourite you concentrate in the beginning but then it slips and little bit less concentration. I didn't play a lot worse after that but I had two legs with very poor moments and that gave him confidence and I never should do that."
While Van Gerwen overcame a stiff test of his credentials, number 12 seed Kim Huybrechts was the first major casualty after a 3-2 defeat to David Pallett.
Christian Kist eased to a 3-0 victory over Justin Pipe, while Darren Webster beat John Henderson 3-1 to set up a second-round clash with Van Gerwen.
