NEW Forest darts star Scott Mitchell eased to a 4-2 victory over Geert De Vos last night to secure a BDO World Championship quarter-final spot for the first time.

Although the Bransgore thrower found himself under pressure early on, he capitalised as the Belgian’s challenge fell away dramatically in the final two sets, writes NED PAYNE.

Victory banked number four seed Mitchell a minimum of £6,500 and set up a clash with world number 23 Brian Dawson in the last eight at Frimley Green.

And Mitchell, the second highest-ranked seed left in the draw, will feel confident of further progress following another impressive performance on the Lakeside stage.

He broke throw in the third leg and was relatively untroubled as he wrapped up the first set with a plum double top.

However, De Vos came storming back and a 15-darter paved the way for the Belgian to level matters in convincing style.

Mitchell came within one dart of the highest checkout of the tournament – 161 – as De Vos put his foot on his pedal and roared into a 2-1 lead.

But solid throwing allowed the Dorset ace to pull level.

As De Vos’s scoring crumbled, the fifth set was a regulation effort for Mitchell although he did stumble on the closing doubles, before eventually inching home.

The sixth set was a similar affair and Mitchell hit match dart at the second attempt to advance.