WORLD champion Scott Mitchell admits he is "helpless" to combat opponents hell-bent on knocking him off his perch after a last-64 exit at the Welsh Open.

Having swept to a trio of whitewashes against Andy McMahon, Ash Richards and Rhys Long, 'Scotty Dog' suffered a 4-1 defeat to Mick Savvery at Prestatyn with the Lakeside winner adamant he had been given no room for manoeuvre.

Mitchell told the Daily Echo: "There is not a lot you can do when you're stood there waiting and your opponent hits a double with his last dart. It was a helpless situation.

"People are bringing their A game against me and then losing their next match. It seems to be a recurring thing.

"I was sat on double top and he (Savvery) shot out 130 on the bull. You think 'that's fine, he won't do that again' but then he shoots out an 80 and a 120. Suddenly, you find yourself three down.

"I comfortably won the next one in 13 darts but he shot out 96 to win it. While you have to give credit where it is due, you do come away thinking 'I hope you play like that in your next game' but they rarely do. They have had their final in a way.

"It's not the first time it has happened this year and I doubt it will be the last. I am frustrated because I am playing well but you have to take it on the chin and try to take it more as a privilege than an insult."

Next up for Mitchell is the BDO British Internationals at Brean, Somerset held from June 5-8.