Cross hits back after 'cheat' flashpoint at darts' Ladbrokes Masters

The world number four from St Leonards was beaten 10-5 by 20th-ranked Mervyn King at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on Saturday afternoon.

There was controversy in the penultimate leg of the match as King accused Cross of overstepping the oche line as he moved to the far right of the throwing area to hit double 16.

But referee George Noble didn't speak to Cross at any stage and the former world champion - a likeable and popular figure among his peers - was awarded the leg.

In an exclusive interview with Darts World, Cross said: "I was really shocked about what happened. I've never ever been accused of being a cheat in my life. Because that's what it sounded like. As far as I was concerned I stood on the line. The referee didn't say anything and he was watching me.

"Obviously what was said on stage annoyed me. It certainly had an effect on me. I'm not saying it would have changed the result, Mervyn was 9-4 in front and on the way to winning deservedly. But I don't understand why he would say my foot was over the line. He knows I'm not the sort to try anything.

"I'm pretty sure that I was further away from the board from where I threw from than the oche line anyway. But it's very disappointing that someone who claims to be a mate would basically suggest that I would intentionally cheat. Never have, never will.

"I really don't think it is acceptable that a player can suggest something like cheating when the referee didn't even feel the need to speak to me. Let alone the angle Merv was looking at from behind me."

Making his first tournament outing of 2021, Cross was immediately up against it as King reeled off the first five legs aided by checkouts of 121 and 104.

Although Cross pinned double 19 to open his account in leg six, King responded with a 130 checkout on the bullseye and proceeded to open up an 8-1 advantage.

Cross didn't give up and clinched four of the next five legs to make it 9-5 before the in-form King sealed his victory with an 86 finish.

In a match televised live on ITV4, 2019 World Matchplay and European Championship winner Cross averaged 94.05 compared to the impressive King's 101.86. King went on to defeat Nathan Aspinall and new world champion Gerwyn Price before losing to Jonny Clayton in the final.

It was a double celebration for Clayton because he also claimed the 10th and final place in the 2021 Unibet Premier League.

Cross is also in the field for that competition, which is scheduled to begin around Easter having been delayed from its usual February start.