Harry Lane's big outing at the UK Darts Open was hampered by a darts malfunction.

The Sheerness thrower was up against Czech Republic’s Karel Sedlacek and was going along nicely in the First Round before one of his darts got damaged.

“I had a bit of misfortune,” he explained.

“I hit seven perfect darts, 180, 180 and treble 20 and missed the treble 19 and hit a treble 10 and ended up going out in 12 darts but then my next throw, my stem snapped. I couldn’t get it out of the dart!

“The stem broke inside the dart, I couldn’t twist it out.

“My head started going, I thought it would explode with everyone watching me. I was thinking I couldn’t get it out.

“I have only got one set of darts, which I got made personally for me. I will have to get another set made - much easier and less stress!”

With a crowd of around 500 at Butlin’s in Minehead, Lane finally got the dart fixed but it was too late.

He said: “I had to use my point to get it to come out and I went off it after that, started going into the fives and stuff. I was comfortable up until then.

“I didn’t expect so many people there, either. I have only previously played in front of about 100 - it does give you a buzz and some of them were cheering me on, people I didn’t even know.”

It was the first time Lane had qualified for the major tournament.

He said: “I can definitely see myself doing it in the future more often with a little more practice, a little more composure when things go wrong, instead of panicking!

“It was an amazing experience. Since I was there on Friday I have been practising loads, I have a buzz about darts again. I know I can compete.”

Lane is looking for sponsorship to help him get to tournaments - and perhaps a second set of darts!

His next big event is the PDC Challenge Tour in August at Milton Keynes. A tour card with the leading pros is on offer to those who do well.

Prior to that he’ll be back among mates this week in the Kent Super League.

“It’s back to real life! - just me and my mates at the bar,” he joked.

Andrew Gilding pulled off a shock to win the £110,000 top prize as the 200-1 outsider beat Michael van Gerwen. He had earlier seen off Kent’s Rob Cross.