ANDERSON ADMITS MATCH WAS 'POO' AFTER REACHING MATCHPLAY QUARTER-FINALS

GARY ANDERSON said it was “poo” but reached his first World Matchplay quarter-final for SIX years.

The Flying Scotsman came from 4-1 down to beat Jonny Clayton 11-7 at the Winter Gardens.

Ando, 55, was slow out of the traps but then hit the gad with five successive legs in the second session to take control of the tie.

Clayton had dubbed the tie the ‘battle of the oldies’ and the Scot says the seniors have still got what it takes.

He said: “It’s way past our bedtime to be honest. I tell you what , if you’re looking for a gentleman, it’s that man there.

“A cracking dart player and he’s just a lovely, lovely down to earth bloke. I’m a big fan of his.

“I thought the game was a bit poo to be honest. I was expecting Jonny to do what he does; 180s, 161s. We kind of dragged it out a bit there.

“Look at the place. It's second to the Ally Pally and the Worlds, we’ve got this place for this tournament.

“Now we keep going. It proves the point that the old boys are not finished yet.”

Clayton roared into an early lead of 3-0 including a slick 105 kill.

But Anderson was epic in the second session with five successive legs.

The Scot can be fragile on his doubles, but he was lethal all night and soon wrapped it up with double eight.

Words: Phil Lanning

Image: Taylor Lanning