DEFENDING champion Scott Mitchell got off the hook eight times as he sneaked a sensational BDO World Championship clash with England team-mate Mark McGeeney.

Mitchell’s opponent missed no fewer than eight darts for victory before the Bransgore thrower stepped in to win the last-16 clash against the throw in sudden death, securing a 4-3 triumph.

The 45-year-old, who had thrown for the match on three occasions, will face Richard Veenstra or Martin Atkins in the quarter-final.

Mitchell’s opponent started in superb style, banking a 130 checkout as he stormed to the opening set.

‘Scotty Dog’ trailed 2-1 in the second but pulled level and after McGeeney faltered in the decider, the reigning champion mopped up on double top.

‘Gladiator’ wrapped up the next before one of the key moments arrived in the fifth leg of the fourth set.

McGeeney missed no fewer than nine darts at doubles and Mitchell nailed double top at the first time of asking to level the match.

The fifth set also went to a decider and Mitchell pounded in three ton-plus visits before taking out tops to hit the front for the first time.

The Dorset county ace had the darts to win the match in the sixth but McGeeney held his nerve to pick out double nine.

In the deciding set, both players traded breaks as the tension reached boiling point at 5-5, with McGeeney hitting the bull for the honour of throwing first in sudden death.

However, after McGeeney had spurned an eighth opportunity to triumph, a relieved Mitchell landed double top to secure his progress.