Newton flew over to the US in a last-gasp bid to qualify for both events but he will return home disappointed.

With only 16 places available in the Winter Gardens showpiece, Newton needed a strong performance in Sunday's Las Vegas Players Championship –the last qualifying tournament – only to lose in the second round to Mark Frost.

Newton's attempt to seek consolation in the Desert Classic came unstuck at the third-round stage in yesterday's qualifiers.

Eight places are available in the main event via the two days of qualifying, but after edging past Masahiko Sano 5-4 and hammering Steve Mason 5-0, he lost out 5-3 to Roger Carter, who achieved a nine-dart leg in the process.

Carter went on to reach the final only to lose out to Co Stompe, who qualifies for his first PDC event.

Blackpool thrower and top seed Ronnie Baxter was a surprise first-round casualty in yesterday's qualifiers, going down 5-4 to Jelle Klaasen.

It was especially disappointing for Baxter, who had reached the final of Sunday's Players Championship only to lose out on the £5,000 first prize to Phil Taylor.

Missing out on the Blackpool event will be a devastating blow to local hero Newton.

He has qualified for the Winter Gardens in the past two years only to be an early casualty after landing the toughest of draws against John Part in 2006 and Taylor last year.

The Desert Classic gets under way in earnest tomorrow.