STUART Kellett says his aim is to bounce back on the biggest stage following Friday’s first round exit at the Cash Converters Players’ Championship finals.

The Northwich thrower let slip a 4-1 lead against opponent Gary Anderson at the Butlins Minehead Resort, bowing out 6-5 after losing a deciding leg.

With the Ladbrokes World Championships due to start next week, he has an instant incentive to forget quickly the disappointment.

“I’m annoyed with myself but have to get over it,” he said afterwards.

“I knew I had to get my nose in front to have a chance of getting through. I did that, but just couldn’t kick on and finish the job.

“I’ll keep going though; the world championships is the biggest stage of the lot, so hopefully I can go on a run there.”

The 32-year-old finished double 10 in the opening leg against Anderson, missing double 18 to check out 116 before punishing the Scot for wasting his own chance to take the second.

Kellett’s opponent, based in nearby Taunton, finished 32 to get off the mark only for the Cheshire ace to win an untidy fourth leg with double two before pinning double 16 to establish a 4-1 advantage.

Anderson rallied to take the next two legs, taking out 101 in the sixth, but Kellett landed double seven to move closer to victory.

He could not finish 145 to get over the line at 5-4, almost punishing his rival for fluffing three darts at double 16 in the decider when narrowly missing tops for a 120 checkout.

Anderson returned to the oche to complete a fine comeback.

Talking to the Professional Darts Corporation’s Dan Dawson, Kellett added: “I didn’t feel comfortable up there, but walked off after the first session 4-1 up when I shouldn’t have been.

“Gary was missing doubles, and I took my chances. When he started scoring more heavily, it put me under pressure.”

He will discover later today who his opponent will be at the world championships, scheduled to start at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday, December 13.