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The Team Unicorn trio were all expected to progress but now will be sorting out flights home after being stunned into submission at the City West Hotel.

Lloyd, who has reached the last two finals in Dublin, was beaten by Unicorn stablemate Bob Anderson in a quite brilliant match, which went the distance.

It is all the more remarkable because it is the first time that Anderson – who’s 59 in a fortnight – has progressed past the 1st Round in the World Grand Prix.

Lloyd looked in brilliant form – taking the opening set with an average of 104….but ‘Jaws’ missed five darts at doubles in the second set, which could have taken him to victory. Instead, Anderson rolled back the years and an 84 finish on the bull took the game into a deciding set.

Lloyd again missed crucial chances at crucial times and Anderson won it in style, with a magnificent 146 check-out. Unicorn’s World No.1 just couldn’t believe it. In the last year, he has now lost four times in the 1st round at ‘Major’ TV tournaments. He was beaten by Gary Welding at the World Championships, lost to Chris Mason in Las Vegas and suffered a shock exit at the hands of Steve Maish at the World Matchplay.

This latest setback will come as a bitter blow, especially as the new slimline Lloyd had been playing so well….don’t forget he beat Phil Taylor in the UK Open Irish Regional on Sunday, before losing a close final to Raymond Van Barneveld.

But take nothing away from Anderson, who will now play Irish hero Anto McCracken in the 2nd Round on Wednesday night.

He said: “It was an extremely tough match. I thought both of us played really well. I reckon my finishing was sharper and that gave me the edge. As for the 146 finish – I always feel confident when I walk up there, especially if the first dart goes in. I can’t wait for the next one. I know the crowd will be against me but if I play like I did against Colin, then I will be in with a great shout.”

Kevin Painter fell to his great rival Andy Callaby. It’s fair to say that there isn’t any love lost between the pair but Painter never really got going, despite winning the opening leg of the match. Callaby took the first set by 3 legs to 1 and although ‘The Artist’ found a 103 check-out, he couldn’t match Callaby for scoring…and after missing seven darts for the match, he finally nailed double 6 to put Painter out of his misery.
There was huge disappointment for John Part, who was one of the fancied runners in Dublin this week. The Canadian former World Champion looked to have his 1st Round match in the bag but threw it away against Lionel Sams – losing 2 sets to 1.

Part won the first four legs of the match and was coasting to a two sets win but totally lost his range on the treble 20, while Sams found some confidence and some form.

The Canadian actually had one dart to win the match in the second set – just missing the bull on a 124 finish. Sams took the set to level the match and as Part continued to struggle, he clinched victory with a classy 136 check-out.

It is a major blow for Part, who was looking to build on his triumph at the Las Vegas Desert Classic. He now has a long wait to put things right in a major TV tournament, with the World Championships seven weeks away.

Unicorn star Peter Manley will now fancy his chances of a big tournament, because the top half of the draw is now wide open after this night of shocks. He looked good in demolishing Chris Mason and will now face Lionel Sams for a place in the quarter-finals.

Manley dropped only two legs in the match, as Mason again failed to live up to expectations. ‘One Dart’ hit a terrific 130 finish and a great 11-dart leg to complete a professional performance.

SkyBet World Grand Prix – Monday’s 1st Round results:

John Part 1-2 Lionel Sams
Kevin Painter 0-2 Andy Callaby
Andy Jenkins 1-2 Terry Jenkins
Anto McCracken 2-1 Mark Walsh
Colin Lloyd 1-2 Bob Anderson
Peter Manley 2-0 Chris Mason
Wayne Mardle 2-0 Denis Ovens
Roland Scholten 2-0 Dave Askew

Tuesday’s 1st Round matches:

Dennis Priestley v Geoffrey Matthews
Mark Dudbridge v Steve Beaton
Alan Warriner v Raymond Van Barneveld
Garrett Gray v Andy Smith
Phil Taylor v Wes Newton
Adrian Lewis v Barrie Bates
Ronnie Baxter v Alan Green
Paul Watton v James Wade

BY STUART PYKE