Hopes of a home win at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay ended at the semi-final stage when Marc Warren was beaten 3&2 by Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

The number two seed who had been troubled by a back problem during his quarter-final win, but said he had no excuse for his defeat.

“I was absolutely perfect, no physio this morning,” he said.

“There was just a wee bit of tightness. By the time I was warming up, hitting balls, it was good, but obviously I had an absolutely terrible day. I don't think I hit the middle of the club once, which is a novelty. It was a day where I didn't deserve to go any further with that sort of performance.”

Aphibarnrat now meets Robert Karlsson in the final after the Swede who had not made the cut in his last six strokeplay events, saw off former Ryder Cup team-mate David Howell at the 20th hole.