Too Hot To Trot: Leonard Gates sets up Nathan Aspinall clash, sees off visibly distraught Cameron Menzies

Leonard Gates was a fan favourite last time he stepped onto the Alexandra Palace stage and 'Soulger' continues to dance his way into PDC World Darts Championship folklore albeit in a pretty torrid scene for Cameron Menzies.

Gates sealed it 3-1 but Menzies was visibly emotional and distraught at the end as he sensed that a golden opportunity had passed him by. He also received huge abuse from the crowd who cheered his wayward darts and every dart that went wrong was celebrated.

But while Menzies goes out, Gates moves through to a tie against Aspinall. He handed Menzies chances but was also box office at other times as he showed again why on his day, he is a man to watch and not just from his entertaining dance moves.

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Gates flew out out the blocks though in sensational fashion. He landed checkouts of 138, 120 and 85 on the bull to storm to the first set without reply. He handed Menzies an uphill struggle.

But it was one that the Scot responded to resolutely. He edged the second set in a decider to draw level with three maximums to his name in the process.

But again it flipped in Gates direction as he sealed the third set in three straight legs to regain the lead and the upperhand. Gates went 2-1 up but Menzies continued to buckle as he looked more and more emotional. Chance after chance came and went and he was sinking up the malaise of Ally Pally pressure from a crowd offering no sympathy.

Gates himself missed chances for the match and Menzies hit a 72 checkout to keep himself alive. But on his own throw, it was the end as Gates took out the 122 he missed previously to seal the win and seal a tie with Nathan Aspinall.

It was the trademark dance from Gates as the crowd cheered and Menzies headed off stage in tears as his dream year ended in unfortunate dismay.