BRADFORD'S Joe Cullen left it all out there on the oche, scoring a joint-record 19 180s and missing two match darts, as he was beaten in a sudden-death decider by number one seed Michael Van Gerwen at the William Hill World Darts Championship.

Cullen played the game of his life, bagging a stunning 13 maximums in the opening 20 legs, to lead 3-1.

Van Gerwen rallied though and came back, seeing his opponent squander two chances to end the encounter on bull, holding his nerve to claim a huge win.

This, round four, was the furthest 'The Rockstar' had reached at Ally Pally, where previously he never got past Christmas in his 10 appearances.

However, this year Wayne Jones was dispatched in style and the victory over good mate Jonny Clayton proved he had gained bottle.

Van Gerwen, who beat Ryan Murphy and Ricky Evans in the last two rounds, set off like a steam train taking the first leg in 14 darts.

The Bradfordian was not effected, breaking back immediately and bashing a 180 in each of the following legs to snatch the opener nicely.

Although set two went on-throw, it still produced a tight finale. 

Cullen missed a double nine to go a couple in front as Van Gerwen cleaned up 52 and boomed in relief.

Both players were scoring well in this thriller and legs three and four of the next set were won by 13 and 12 darters to create another decider. Cullen took this one in style on double 18 to regain the lead.

The only ton-plus finish was earned at the start of the fourth. The Wyke ace broke with a 123 on the bull, only for the Dutchman to return the favour.

After exchanging some more, leg five was upon us once again. 

It seemed to be the former three-time champ's but a trio of missed darts at double allowed the world number 16 to capitalise, shooting an 85 to grab a two-set advantage.

Van Gerwen was stunned as he left the stage for the break, while Cullen was confident in his stride.

This motivated the winner of an amazing 135 PDC events though as he cruised through the next set to reduce the deficit.

Many thought the tide was turning when the favourite captured his fourth leg in five before a scrappy stanza ended in Cullen's favour.

The 31-year-old's scoring power was relentless to produce an exciting fifth final-leg showdown.

A 17th 180 left Cullen with a 90 checkout to win the match, of which he agonisingly wired a shot at bull. Van Gerwen hit tops to generate a seventh set.

Cullen began with an 11 darter before equalling Gary Anderson's record of 19 180s scored in a last-16 match on the big stage to place himself one away from the quarters.

An audacious match-winning attempt at 164, ended in failure again on the bull as Van Gerwen smashed double eight.

A 'MVG' maximum to start the sudden-death leg spelt the beginning of the end for Cullen who was unable to even hit a treble as a 14-darter caused heartbreak.