SCOTT Mitchell’s run in the UK Open was ended by former champion Nathan Aspinall.

The Asp, who lifted the trophy in 2019, arrived in Minehead in fine form, having won the fifth night of Premier League action 24 hours earlier.

Mitchell, who defeated Leighton Bennett, Darren Beveridge and Matthew Dennant at the Butlin’s Resort to reach round four, got off to a nervy start against Aspinall, falling 3-0 behind.

But Scotty Dog settled into the contest, reducing the arrears to 5-4.

World number four Aspinall pulled away again before closing out a hard-fought 10-6 win, ending with a 96.64 average, compared to Mitchell’s 93.

For Dorset star Mitchell, it matched his best ever run at the event, pocketing £2,500 in prize money for getting to the last 64.

Speaking to the media after the game, Aspinall said: "I got Scott Mitchell and I was happy with the draw, but not happy with the draw, because he’s a very tough player to play against.

"I wouldn’t say he’s a slow player in the darts, but his walking around the oche is absolutely so morbid.

"I really struggled early in the contest. I broke him back to go 6-4 up at the break.

"I’m very happy. I dug deep. It wasn’t my best performance, but I’m very happy with the win. I didn’t enjoy the game, but did enjoy the result."

The 32-year-old added: "Very early on I knew it was affecting me.

"He walked back from the board very slow. It gets in your eyeline when they’re still walking back as you’re trying to approach the board.

"After about five or six legs I tried to step back, give myself an extra one or two seconds and give him the opportunity to walk back.

"It was a tough game, no doubt about that, but I got through it."

Aspinall was defeated 10-9 in the following round by Aussie Damon Heta.