South Essex darts star Steve Maish has crashed out of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship at the first attempt.

The world number 26 went into his first round match with South African qualifier Wynand Havenga full of confidence, only to lose 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.

Maish, from Southend, had hoped to set up a second round encounter with world number seven Peter Manley, but just over an hour later the former window fitter's dreams were lying in tatters.

It was a case of lightening striking twice for Maish, as the 43-year-old also plunged out of the tournament on its opening day last year.