Luke Littler was knocked out of Players Championship 7 after losing to Ross Smith in the final match following missed darts – but The Nuke will look to bounce back in PC8 before the Premier League returns.

Luke Littler was knocked out of Players Championship 7 by Ross Smith after missing the match darts in a nerve-wracking decider.

Teenage sensation Littler had beaten world number 1 Luke Humphries to book his place in the round of 16, but stumbled at the next hurdle after Smith returned.

Littler, 17, came into the clash in fine form after winning back-to-back Premier League nights, but his mixed double proved his undoing on Monday.

The match went the distance and although Littler held the darts, and therefore the advantage, he was unable to clean up on the outer ring, allowing Smith to pounce.

He looked set to improve after lowering his score to 94, but a number of poor darts during a doubles saw Smith, who stood on 298, fight back in spectacular fashion.

The teenage sensation took control of the confrontation but wasted several match darts

Littler will be hoping to win his third consecutive Premier League night in Birmingham this week

Littler initially hit only 46 to leave the door open for his opponent, who stacked a 180.

But even with three extra darts in hand, Littler missed the double tops before botching his attempt at his favorite double 10 by the narrowest of margins.

Smith then returned to the oche and shot a 68 with two darts.

Littler will be hoping to respond to the slight setback at Players Championship 8, which will be held tomorrow in Leicester, and be among the favorites again.

He earned his first Players Championship victory in February, after scoring a memorable nine-darter en route to beating Ryan Searle in the final.

Later this week, Littler will aim to win his third consecutive Premier League night when the action moves to Birmingham. He is currently at the top of the rankings.