BRADFORD darts supremo Joe Cullen was out in Belgium over the weekend for the penultimate European Trophy event of the year.

But for once, given his current run of form, he suffered an early exit, blowing a big lead to bow out in the last-16 against Danny Noppert.

The Wyke native began his weekend with a comfortable last-32 victory over Denis Nilsson.

The veteran Swede, a former strongman, had no answer to Cullen, as the Englishman romped to a 6-2 win.

And Cullen finished that contest off in style, converting a classy 124 finish with his final match dart at the bullseye.

He looked in red-hot form at the start of his match against Dutchman Noppert too, racing into a 3-0 lead.

But the Bradford man was floored by an epic comeback from his opponent, who won all-but-one of the last seven legs to claim a 6-4 victory.

Cullen did not do too much wrong, averaging over 100, but Noppert was also in three figures with his.

The Dutchman was beaten 7-4 in the semis by Dave Chisnall, who went on to claim his first title in three years by edging out Andrew Gilding 8-6 in the final.