SCOTT Mitchell exited the second round stage of the BDO World Championship.

Despite an average of more than 96 against Belgian Andy Baetens, the Bransgore thrower fell to a 4-2 loss.

Defeat meant the 2015 world champion was beaten in the last 16 for the second successive year.

The contest began with four breaks of throw before Baetens, ranked 17th on the BDO circuit, finally managed to hold.

He pinned double eight to take a 1-0 set advantage, after some impressive scoring during the deciding leg of the opener.

On debut at the Lakeside, Baetens then took advantage by hitting the bull to claim a leg at the start of the second.

That came after Mitchell missed four shots at a double.

A checkout of 61 saw the Bransgore thrower break back but, with Scotty Dog failing to hold his own throw, 28-year-old Baetens comfortably claimed a 2-0 lead.

Mitchell’s first hold of throw eventually came in the 11th leg of the match when a maximum helped him on his way to hitting double six.

With another 180 also recorded in the next leg, the avid Poole Pirates fan found himself back in the contest at 2-1 in sets after taking out 64 on double 16.

A key moment then came in the fourth when Mitchell took out 121 on the bull, with Baetens poised on 40.

And a 141 checkout at a crucial moment from the Dorset star helped him level the contest at 2-2.

Another ton-plus finish came Mitchell’s way with a 120 in set five but Baetens responded with a 127 on the bull to take the advantage again.

The Belgian took out 91 in the deciding leg of the fifth set to leave Mitchell reeling at 3-2 down.

With the sixth set going down to the wire, Scotty Dog squandered the opportunity when handily placed looking at double top and double five.

That left Baetens to mop up 60 and claim the match.