ALEX Marshall has lost narrowly to Stewart Anderson at the World Indoor Bowls Championships.

The all-Scottish affair at Potters Holiday Resort, Norfolk, was tipped to be a close encounter and so it proved.

Anderson, who clinched his third world title with victory, took the first set 12-7 and held the advantage going into the final end of the second set.

Marshall, of Tranent, attempted to force the match into a tie-break but it was Anderson who came out on top, 13-10.

Impressively, Marshall, a six-time world champion in the indoor singles, had only competed at the tournament as a sponsor's pick after he had slipped outside the world's top 16.

However, he will take great confidence from his showings in the competition, which included victory in the semi-finals over long-time friend Paul Foster.