FORMER world number one Colin Lloyd ended Acomb ace Chris Thompson’s bid for Blue Square UK Open glory.

Thompson, a quarter-finalist in last year’s tournament, went out 9-2 to close friend Lloyd at Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium in the last 32.

The St Paul’s Lodge and Crescent WMC player had earlier enjoyed convincing victories over world number 150 Mark Jodrill (6-2) and pub qualifier Paul Rowley (9-1) to reach the fourth round.

But Thompson’s attempt to make the final day of the PDC’s “FA Cup of Darts” for the second successive year came unstuck against ex-World Matchplay and World Grand Prix winner Lloyd.

Ahead of their latest clash, world number 57 Thompson’s 2009 record against Lloyd was 1-1, beating him in their last meeting at Gibraltar.

Lloyd, now ranked ninth in the world, though defeated Thompson on his way to victory at Doncaster’s UK Open’s North-East Regional qualifier in January.

This contest saw Thompson win the first leg against the darts, hitting double two with his 24th dart in a nervous opening for both players.

Lloyd, known as “Jaws,” broke back immediately, however, checking out in 14 darts after Thompson, pictured right, missed double 11 to take a 2-0 lead.

In fact, the York legal executive had, at worst, one throw to win five of the first six legs but found himself trailing 4-2.

The sixth leg proved the pivotal point of the game when Thompson, throwing first, hit his only 180 of the match but then failed to finish on 80 and Lloyd checked out on 25, finding double eight with his last dart.

From that moment on, Essex-based Lloyd dominated, rattling off the next five legs including 14-dart and 12-dart efforts to surge 7-2 and 8-2 ahead.

Thompson’s consolation came in the shape of a £2,000 cheque and he said: “I only really played in fits and starts. When I didn’t play well in the first leg against the darts but won it, I thought that might be a good sign but, after that, I played badly at times and then when I played well, it coincided with when Colin played well.

“It could have been a different story early on when I missed a good opportunity to go 3-0 or 4-0 up. I just kept blocking double top with my first dart every time I had the chance to finish.

“Still, I’m chuffed with the £2,000 and I played superbly earlier in the competition.”

Thompson is now looking forward to the latest Players Championship regional contest at the Barnsley Metrodome this weekend. It is also being used as a qualifying competition for July’s World Matchplay Championship and the World Championships this year with the Hitman needing strong displays to climb the rankings.