THERE was disappointment for Bradford darts ace Joe Cullen at the weekend, as he lost to the home favourite on the PDC European Tour at the Czech Darts Open.

Karel Sedlacek was always going to be a popular figure with the partisan crowd in Prague, and after winning his opener, he advanced to face Cullen in round two.

And after breaking the Wyke native immediately, he rattled in a superb 121 checkout to double his advantage.

Cullen was on the back foot for most of the contest, but he is not in the world’s top 16 for nothing, and he clawed his way back to only trail 5-4.

In the 10th leg, with the Bradfordian attempting to level the match, he almost took out a sensational 170 checkout against the throw.

But after landing the two T20s required, he agonisingly missed his attempt at the bullseye to take the game to the decider.

Instead, Sedlacek returned to the oche only needing 40 to win, and he landed D20 at the second attempt to send the home crowd wild.

It was desperately unlucky for Cullen, as he was knocked out despite recording a hugely impressive 103 average.

And despite having to produce his best to beat the Wyke man, Czech favourite Sedlacek did not get much further, knocked out in round three by Rob Cross, with Peter Wright going on to win the tournament, the eighth of 13 events on the European Tour this season.

Cullen is due back in action for Players Championship events 11 and 12 this weekend at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.