by Matt Bozeat

ANDY Hamilton is heading home after defeat in the first round of the Stan James.com World Matchplay.

A semi-finalist at the Winter Gardens three years ago, the Hammer was beaten 10-6 by Gary Anderson.

But Hamilton, from Talke Pits, believes the match proved he is set to recapture the form that propelled him into the world's top 10.

He has slipped down the rankings this year and said: "It's going to take time to get my form back, but I'm getting there.

"I went ahead early on and then relaxed too much. You can't do that against a player who scores like Gary."

Hamilton's next major tournament is the SkyBet World Grand Prix in Dublin in October and promised: "You will see me back to my best there.

"I'm not sure what's gone wrong, but I'm working hard to put it right."

Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis tonight aim to book their places in the quarter-finals.

They face Kevin Painter and Colin Lloyd respectively in second-round clashes over the best of 25 legs at the Winter Gardens.

Hamilton failed to join them in the last 16 after missing crucial doubles in the fourth and 12th legs.

His off target attempt at double top in the 12th leg was costly.

Having won the previous leg against the darts, Hamilton had both the throw and the momentum.

He had a dart at double 20 to level at 6-6, but missed and Anderson opened up a narrow 7-5 lead.

Hamilton struck a crucial early blow – recovering from a throw of five to snatch the opening leg against the darts after Anderson was off target with four attempts at a double.

He held his throw in the second leg, then lost the next three – allowing Anderson to break back in the fourth after landing two darts on the wire above double top and then watching 'The Flying Scotsman' check out 121 on the bullseye to lead.

At 5-4 behind, Hamilton needed to hold his throw to level, but gifted Anderson an opening with a score of 40 – and he took it. Anderson replied with 140 and went on to take the leg against the darts to lead 6-4.

Hamilton broke back with a 120 check out – finding a way past his second dart to nail double top with his third – but his next attempt at the double was off target and Anderson cashed in to break and lead 7-5.

That left Hamilton desperately needing a break and in the 15th leg, his fourth 180 of the match gave him a chance, but Anderson coolly took out 54 in two darts to lead 9-6 and move within a leg of the match.