Meath's Keane Barry made his exit at the PDC World Championship, losing 3-0 to Germany's Martin Schindler in their second round clash at Ally Pally but every set went to a deciding leg.
After impressing when defeating Australian Tim Pusey in his opening assignment, Barry was not overawed in taking on the world number 13 but will regret not making the most of the two darts he had to take the opening set.
The second set was tied at 2-2 and again Barry had chances but Schindler fired a 118 to take it.
With 72 required to win the third, the Irishman saw his second dart not sticking, with the frustration on his face clear to see. He still needed 40.
The German had 76 to seal the deal, which he duly did by way of a treble 20 and double eight.
Luke Littler cruised through to round three as his path to glory opened up after Gerwyn Price's shock exit.
Littler is the favourite to defend his historic title at Alexandra Palace and gave no reason to suggest it will not happen after brushing past Welshman David Davies 3-0.
The 18-year-old was nowhere near his imperious best but did not need to be as he extended his winning streak to 15 senior matches, going back to 25 October.
"I was getting away with it, he missed 16 darts at double, but every one he missed was crucial, if he hit them it was a completely different game," Littler said on stage.
"I am glad he missed and I got the job done. I enjoyed it tonight. I was lucky to win the first set, once I got that I was settled and I am happy. I am happy, I'm coming back after Christmas.
"Everyone is on about the £1million (prize money), it's there in front of you, but back-to-back is the only thing I want."
The first real test of his defence was expected to be a quarter-final against Price after Christmas, but that will now not happen after the Welshman was dumped out by the world number 92 Wesley Plaisier.
The giant Dutchman slayed the Welsh dragon with an imperious victory, sending the 2020 champion packing with a 3-0 defeat.
Rob Cross eased into the third round with a 3-1 win over veteran Ian White.
It has been a disappointing year for the 2018 champion, with a host of early exits in the major tournaments.
But he still has dreams of adding a second world title and guaranteed a return to Alexandra Palace after Christmas with an accomplished display.
Mensur Suljovic set up a third-round tie with Littler and annoyed Joe Cullen by doing it.
The Austrian is a notoriously slow player, which irked Cullen throughout a 3-1 defeat.
Tensions were heightened further when Suljovic threw the winning dart and ran off to celebrate on the side of the stage, leaving his opponent waiting for a handshake.
Cullen had a few words to say, but it was Suljovic who had the last laugh.
That joy might not last too much longer, though, with Littler looming in the next round.
Krzystof Ratajski will come back after Christmas after a 3-1 win over Ryan Joyce, while Luke Woodhouse made light work of Max Hopp with a 3-0 success.
Meanwhile, Dom Taylor has apologised for failing a drugs test which saw him kicked out of the tournament.
Taylor was removed after a random anti-doping procedure last week returned a positive result.
The 27-year-old beat Oskar Lukasiak in the opening round and afterwards spoke about how he was on the up following a failed test at the end of 2024 which led to a suspension in January.
Days later he has been thrown out of the competition, pending a Darts Regulation Authority disciplinary hearing.
Taylor wrote on Facebook: "I'm sorry to every single one of my family, friends, sponsors, management team and most important of all, you guys. All my fans, be it outside of darts or inside of darts.
"I need to apologise for blatantly lying to you all in my interview after my win against Oskar last week, as I have been lying to myself and everyone else around me.
"I did complete and finish the course that I was required to do at the end of last/beginning of this year, along with everything else I was required to do and sanctions."
Taylor said his failed drugs test was a result of a troubled personal life, including the anniversary of the death of his daughter.
Additional reporting: PA
