BOLTON-based darts professional Ross Smith lit up the Gibraltar Trophy with a nine-darter on Saturday despite losing narrowly 6-5 to former two-time world champion Adrian Lewis.

The 24-year-old from Tonge Fold added his name to the history books with his first perfect leg of darts on the big stage at the Professional Darts Corporation European tour event in Gibraltar.

He trailed 4-2 before opening the seventh leg with back-to-back 180s, and finished 141 with treble 20, treble 15 and double 18 to complete his nine-dart finish.

Lewis took the next leg, but Smith won the following two to force a deciding leg, only for his opponent to seal victory.

But despite the disappointment of his second-round exit, Smith was thrilled with the achievement which put him in line for a £3,600 bonus.

He said: “It's a magnificent achievement to hit the nine-darter and it’s not sunk in yet.

“I’ve missed double 18 a few times before so I’m glad it went in.

“I have done it in practice before but never on TV or live on the floor in a big tournament.

“Someone put the video on YouTube, I heard, so that is brilliant.

“It’s obviously disappointing that I went on to lose but it’s a learning curve for me and maybe it played on my mind a bit for the rest of the match.”

Smith had an impressive 6-3 first-round victory against Andy Smith.

But Lewis dug deep to edge him out in round two, giving the Bolton darter credit for his display afterwards.

Lewis said: “Ross was fantastic and pushed me all the way but I found some great darts under pressure in the last leg.

Smith was overwhelmed by the messages of support he received on Twitter both during and after his appearance in Gibraltar and added: “It is lovely to read all the messages on my twitter of support.

“The fans were great at the UK Open and really supportive this week.”

Keep in touch with Ross’s progress via his Twitter account @RossSmith180. He can also be contacted through the account for his availability for exhibition matches.