AINSTY ace Martyn Turner has shelved plans to quit the PDC circuit after a strong showing at the Speedy Hire UK Open in Bolton.

The Miller Food delivery driver admitted his high-quality third round contest against Matthew Edgar had helped him regain his “buzz” for darts despite bowing out 9-6 to the Daventry-based sports coach.

Both players threw 29 ton-plus scores in an entertaining match with Turner racking up three maximum 180s compared to Edgar’s two.

Rawcliffe-based Turner also claimed an excellent 11-dart leg and a 116 finish with the game’s outcome hinging on a couple of vital legs.

The pivotal moment came when Turner missed out on a chance to level at 6-6, missing three darts at 40 after brilliantly setting up the chance with a throw of 177.

Edgar then stepped in to hit double 18 with his first dart to break the throw and provide the platform for victory.

But Turner was still left encouraged by his display against the up-and-coming Edgar, saying: “When I hit the 11-darter he admitted to me that he was rocking and, in that middle part of the game, I got my buzz back for darts. If it had not gone well in Bolton, I would have packed in as the last 12 months have been quite hard.

“It’s tough on the circuit trying to combine practising and competing with a full-time job and you begin to wonder whether it’s getting a bit pointless. But I enjoyed Friday’s match and it reminded me why I love the game in the first place.”

Turner had an opportunity to go ahead against the darts in the opening leg but failed to checkout 56 and Edgar struck a psychological blow with a 121 finish.

The Crescent WMC player then squandered nine darts from 100 to hold his throw before going 2-0 behind. Turner broke back, though, with a two-dart 116 checkout to get on the scoreboard before losing the next two legs to go 4-1 down.

A 95 finish reduced the deficit and the next two legs were shared before Turner enjoyed an 11-dart leg against the throw with a two-shot 90 finish to make the score 5-4.

Both players then broke each other – Edgar with a 13-dart leg as Turner waited to finish on 24.

Looking to get back on level terms for the first time since the start of the match, Turner then lost the 12th leg in painful fashion and a buoyed Edgar claimed the next in 13 darts.

Turner showed character again, though, to claw back to 8-6 after Edgar had missed a double to clinch victory. He did, however, manage to hit double ten with his first dart in the next leg as Turner sat on 52 to save the match.

Earlier victories over Speedy Hire qualifiers Tommy Little and Ryan Murray ensured Turner took away a cheque for £1,000.