TALISMAN Scott Mitchell vowed that Dorset’s darts team would bounce back from their last-gasp promotion heartache having been pipped to the post by Lincolnshire on Sunday.

Dorset drew their final British Inter County Championship Division One fixture 18-18 against champions Cornwall but lost out as Lincolnshire won their last seven games in a 20-16 win over London to take second spot and a place in the top flight.

The sides ended up deadlocked on 181 points but Lincolnshire’s superior total of 16 bonus points – extras earned for wins and draws throughout the season – eclipsed Dorset’s 11.

Elevation to the Premier Division would have seen the county side compete at the highest level for the first time in their history but Mitchell was adamant his colleagues would return stronger next year.

“We were gutted,” said the Bransgore-based England international. “It was looking good but Lincolnshire’s A squad really pulled it out of the bag. Seven on the trot under that kind of pressure was unbelievable.

“It was a great result for us too because Cornwall have been emphatic all season, we did all we could. We have to believe we can come back stronger and wiser next time.”