STUART PYKE channelled his inner Gary Neville during Luke Littler’s UK Open quarter-final clash.
The Nuke was beaten 10-8 by Damon Heta in a thrilling encounter in Minehead on Sunday.
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Both players averaged over 100 in one of the best matches in tournament history.
The excitement appeared to get the better of ITV commentator Pyke during the ninth leg, though.
He was heard releasing a high-pitched groan as Littler attempted a ton-plus finish.
With Heta needing just 22, the teenager came agonisingly close to a 155 checkout and a 5-4 lead.
Pyke let out an “oooh” and a squeal as Littler landed T20 and T19 with his first two darts.
He then went full Neville with a groan as the final dart landed the wrong side of the wire on D19.
His noises bore a striking resemblance to the former Manchester United defender’s trademark moans and groans.
Unfortunately for Littler, Heta capitalised on his narrow miss to break his throw and win the leg.
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The Australian went on to win the match 10-8 and set up a clash with Dimitri Van den Bergh in the semi-finals.
However, the Heat could not repeat his heroics as he was beaten by the eventual champion.
Meanwhile, Littler will look to bounce back from the defeat when the Premier League Darts returns on Thursday.
The 17-year-old heads into night six in Brighton in second place in the standings behind leader Michael van Gerwen.
He is set to take on Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals at the Brighton Centre this week.
