STUART Kellett missed out narrowly on a fourth successive appearance at the world championships after reaching the last four of a qualifying competition on Monday.

The Northwich thrower won five matches in as many hours at Coventry's Ricoh Arena to set up a winner-takes-all clash with Stoke-born Andy Boulton.

However a 5-1 reverse ended his remarkable run to the last four of a 149-strong field.

"I'm absolutely gutted," he said afterwards.

"I played so well until that last game, but it wasn't meant to be. Credit to Andy though, he was awesome when it mattered."

The 34-year-old saw off Robbie Green for the second time this year in the quarter finals, registering a 5-2 win.

Before that he beat Andy Parsons (5-3), Ryan Harrington (5-2), Lee Evans (5-3) and Darren Johnson (5-3) during a busy afternoon.

To make such progress in the Professional Darts Players' Association qualifier was not a new experience; Kellett earned a first-round date with Vincent van der Voort in the 2013 edition by winning the one-day tournament.

He received £500 as a consolation prize this time around.

Boulton went on to lose 5-4 against Ricky Evans in the final, meaning he enters next month's PDC World Championships at the preliminary round stage.