Oxford's Richard Sampson was edged out at the penultimate hurdle as he chased a place in the World Indoor Bowls Singles Championship in the English play-offs at Wellingborough.

The England international was just two games away from a coveted spot at Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, when he lined up against Spalding's Simon Lilley in the English Grand Final.

Lilley powered out of the blocks to lead 4-0 in the opening set, but Sampson battled back, scoring a four, a single and a double at three of the next four ends to take the set 7-5.

Another storming start saw Lilley race 4-0 ahead in the second, and again Sampson clawed his way back to 4-4, only to see Lilley rally with a treble to win it 7-4. A treble sent Lilley off again at the start of the third set and he went on to clinch it 7-4.

Sampson charged 6-2 ahead in the fourth, staying in front to wrap it up 7-4 to force a decider.

The players were all-square at 2-2 in the shoot-out, but it was Lilley who proved to be the stronger on the run-in, notching a treble and two singles to secure the set 7-2.

Lilley advanced to see off Blackpool's Noel Burrows 7-6, 7-6, 2-7, 7-6 in the final, earning himself a world championship first-round clash with Kent and England star Gary Smith in January.

Chipping Norton's world No 6 Les Gillett and Banbury's English champion Greg Moon have already qualified for the world event.