ADRIAN LEWIS admits his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts play-off challenge could hinge on him striking the balance between his scoring and finishing.
Lewis takes on Wayne Mardle in a crucial final contest on the last league night in Newcastle on Thursday - with that duo and Peter Manley battling to take the fourth semi-final berth.
Lewis has picked up just one win in his last five matches, and drew with Manley in Belfast last week.
That result followed an 8-4 loss to Raymond van Barneveld at Wembley, when he paid the price for missed doubles after out-scoring the world number one.
"In Belfast my finishing was good and my scoring wasn't so good, and the week before my scoring was great and my finishing was rubbish," said Lewis.
"I've got to get the consistency right between both of them and if I can play like I know I can there's no reason I won't be winning things.
"In practice, my scoring has been fantastic, I've knocked in a few nine-darters and it will come together."
Lewis had to come from behind to scramble a draw against Manley a week ago, and admitted he was under pressure in Belfast.
"I was 5-2 down and it's do-or-die," added Lewis. "I aimed for a draw then and managed to claw my way back in and get a draw.
"There was a lot of pressure because if Peter had won I'd have been out of the equation but I knuckled down and got the draw."
A draw against Mardle would be enough to keep him ahead of the Essex thrower in the final table - meaning that he could qualify with just a point should Manley lose to Phil Taylor.
However, Lewis is aiming to finish with the victory to earn his first appearance in the Premier League's play-offs in Cardiff on May 26.
"It's going to be another tough game and I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"I'm feeling confident and if I make it into the semi-finals I'll be going to win it - winning this is more important to me than the money."
Click here to read Rod Harrington's Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Preview
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Night 14, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
James Wade v John Part
Raymond van Barneveld v Terry Jenkins
Adrian Lewis v Wayne Mardle
Phil Taylor v Peter Manley
Live on Sky Sports One from 7.30pm
Follow the action live in DartsTV, with Live Audio Commentary for subscribers and a Free Live Scoreboard, along with Highlights available from Friday evening
Click here to purchase the official 2008 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts programme