Hot-shot Gray back on darts tour

The 30-year-old, who had dropped out of the world’s top 64 in the past year, defeated Lancashire’s Joe Murnan 6-5 in the decider on day three after hitting two 180s in the final leg.

Gray let slip only two legs in his first three games on Saturday in wins over Brian Kirk, Steven Pearson and Andrew Hibbert before getting the better of Anthony Littleton 6-5 and then Murnan.

“I’d played well on Friday and in a way I expected to do well today so it feels good,” said Gray, who famously knocked Phil Taylor out of the 2007 World Grand Prix.

“On the circuit it’s hard when you’re getting beaten every week and you question yourself, so to win through a field like this and get my Tour Card back, you know you’ve earned it.

“Maybe last year I took everything for granted with getting a Tour Card but this is a fresh start for me now.”

Hastings-born Gray plays for Young Guns in the Bexhill Harveys-Cardwell Darts League.