DONAARGH,

It's so close but no kebab as wonder kid Littler pipped by No.1 Humphries

- MIKE WALTERS

LUKE HUMPHRIES sank to his knees in tears after denying Luke Littler the ultimate fairy tale.

'Cool Hand' Luke won a gripping PDC World Championship final 7-4 at Alexandra Palace to land his first title and take the £500,000 winner's loot.

Heartbroken Littler, 16, the kid who celebrates wins with a kebab, led 4-2 but in-form Humphries, on a 19-match winning streak, reeled off five sets without reply to seal victory.

Humphries, 28, who rose to No.1 in the world 24 hours earlier, said: "I'm not going to lie that winning double eight was shaking in my hand and I was fortunate to see it go in.

"Luke is an incredible player and an incredible talent. He is going to win plenty of these, I'm sure." Littler said of his crusade: "It's been unbelievable.

I'm sorry I couldn't give the crowd what they wanted."

DON'T Luke back in anger - fairy tales are rarely delivered to order.

When the story of Luke Littler's first magic carpet ride at Alexandra Palace is enshrined in history, each chapter will be like a song to make your heart soar. Apart from the cruel ending.