JOE Cullen was handed a real opportunity last night in Week 14 of the Premier League Darts in Sheffield, but he failed to make the most of it.

With his scheduled quarter-final opponent James Wade missing from last night's competition due to illness, Bradford thrower Cullen was awarded a 6-0 win over him, automatically giving him a semi-final spot and two guaranteed points.

It was the second time that had happened Cullen during this year's tournament, as he was handed a bye into the last-four in week five in Brighton, when Gerwyn Price had to withdraw with an injured hand.

And it just so happened in South Yorkshire last night that Welshman Price was Cullen's semi-final opponent, with both of them desperate to make up ground on the top-four, and secure a coveted finals spot.

Price had of course already played before he met Cullen, winning his quarter-final 6-4 against Gary Anderson.

The first four legs between the Welshman and the Bradfordian went with throw, but then Cullen failed with a dart at double top and two at double 10.

Price was still left with a tricky 111 finish, but he nailed double 20 to go 3-2 up.

With Cullen then going 4-2 down, he needed a spark, and a magnificent 124 checkout in leg seven kept his hopes alive.

But Price held throw to go 5-3 up, before landing double 12 when Cullen failed to checkout 149 in leg nine to close out the match.

After beating Cullen 6-3, Price went on to defeat Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in a thrilling final.

Victory on the night took the Welshman up to 18 points, one above Cullen on 17 points.

Fourth-placed Peter Wright, currently occupying the last Finals Night spot, lost 6-1 to van Gerwen in his opener, and is only on 20 points, so both Price and Cullen will fancy their chances of catching him.

There are two rounds of the regular season to go, with next week seeing the players travel to the O2 in London.