ACOMB arrows ace Chris Thompson was ruing missed chances to cause a World Championship upset at Alexandra Palace last night.

Thompson had world number 13 Colin Osborne on the rack after winning a sensational third set to get back into last night’s first round match at 2-1.

But seven missed doubles in the first leg of the fourth set saw Thompson, on his World Championship debut, hand back the momentum to Osborne, who went on to secure a 3-1 win.

Afterwards, the Crescent WMC player, ranked 56 in the world, said: “I was so confident after that third set and I thought Col was going, but I missed those doubles and thought ‘Chris, what are you doing?’ “I felt I had thrown my chance away and was trying that bit too hard after that and over compensating.

“The doubles did me in because, if I had got one of them, I believe I would have gone on to win.”

In the third set Thompson set up two-dart checkouts in each of his winning legs with throws of 180, 180 and 177.

He was disappointed with an overall average of 88.47, however, compared to Osborne’s 93.02 and, even though he had a higher double percentage of 29 per cent against 27, was still upset with six from a possible 21.

Thompson added: “I can take a bit of pride from the game but not as much as I would have liked to have done. I know I can average better than 88.

“I was happy with some aspects of the game but upset with others and I’d have liked to have averaged 90.

“The whole experience was superb though and I will be back for more.”

Thompson threw 12 ton-plus scores compared to Osborne’s nine in the first set, but the fourth leg proved vital with the Hitman missing three darts at double ten.

Derby-based Osborne then checked out on 65 to claim the set.

Undeterred, Thompson held his darts in the first leg of the following set but missed an excellent chance to break the Wizard in the second, missing three attempts at a double.

Osborne then won the leg with his sixth shot at a double and went on to secure the next two without too many complications for a second successive 3-1 set.

Thompson’s terrific third set then looked to have turned the tide.

Osborne held his throw to take the first leg but the Minster Law legal executive then produced his first maximum of the night to set up an 80 finish which he managed in two darts to draw level.

Another 180 in the third leg saw Thompson check out on 96 and then a sensational 177 saw him take two darts at 16 to grab the set 3-1.

The turning point of the match came, however, when Thompson failed to hold on to his darts in the next leg despite having nine darts to close out 91.

Osborne nicked that leg and then took one dart at double top with Thompson waiting on 36 before the final two legs of the match were shared to send the Wizard through to the second round.