SCOTT Mitchell was denied the second BDO World Championship semi-final of his career after losing a bruising battle with Jim Williams.

The Dorset county thrower succumbed 5-3 and will reflect with disappointment on two sets in which he had held a 2-0 advantage, only to suffer a 3-2 reverse.

Mitchell, who memorably triumphed at Lakeside in 2015, averaged 92 but still missed out on a last-four clash with double world champion Glen Durrant.

The ardent Poole Speedway supporter stormed into a 2-0 lead in the opening set but, seemingly buoyed by six perfect darts in leg three, Williams roared back to win it 3-2.

Scotty Dog was in trouble at 2-1 down in the second but strong scoring allowed him to break back before he served it out.

Set three was going with throw until Williams took out 78 to break and make it 2-1 overall.

The next set entirely went with throw but Mitchell kept his cool when it mattered, nailing tops plum in the centre.

Williams then made it 3-2, only for Mitchell to hit back with a 60 checkout in set six which drew plenty of emotion from the 48-year-old.

The balance of power appeared to have shifted when Mitchell took a 2-0 lead next but back came the Welshman. Mitchell then missed Shanghai on tops and Williams seized his chance to make it 4-3.

Williams broke early in set eight and although Mitchell pulled one back, he then missed 160 on the bull, which allowed his opponent to wrap up the win.