STUART Kellett took heart from an encouraging performance despite narrowly missing out on a place at the Dutch Darts Masters.

The Northwich thrower was thwarted by Welshman Jonny Clayton when they met during a UK qualifier at Barnsley on Friday.

He had seen off Steve Hine (6-4) and Robert Owen (6-1) before falling 6-3 in a head-to-head that had one of 18 spots at next month’s tournament Zwolle as a reward.

“I’m disappointed not to get through,” said the 36-year-old, who reached the last 16 of the 2014 edition.

“Perhaps I started thinking too much when I found myself in a good position, but I can feel positive after recording a 100 average.”

A 6-2 defeat against Arron Monk ended his involvement in a preliminary for the European Darts Grand Prix earlier the same evening.

Kellett turns his attention next to the Professional Darts Corporation Unicorn Challenge Tour, which resumes at Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan next month.

He sits just outside the top 20 on the order of merit after the first two weekends of action.

A run to the last 16, where he lost to Robert Rickwood, represented his best result at Milton Keynes last time out.