SCOTT Mitchell was philosophical about the late dip in form which cost him the England Masters National Singles title in Southport.

Despite beating World Darts Federation number one Stephen Bunting 3-0 in the quarter-finals, Bransgore-based Mitchell let slip a two-leg lead in a 5-2 defeat against Garry Thompson on Saturday.

But the Dorset star was happy with his performance at the Merseyside resort and hopes the resulting ranking points will boost his chances of an England call-up.

Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “It was great to beat Stephen but, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to repeat that form towards the end.

“As sometimes happens, the final can end up being your worst game. At two up, I missed a double for 3-0 and for 3-1 and, if I had put them both away, I would have been four up.

“I should have hit the doubles at that point and it is a fine line. I would expect myself to hit those doubles and, even though you see people on the television missing them all the time, as a player, you always think you should hit them.

“I had started well and threw the kitchen sink at him (Thompson), but he hit a tremendous 158 and gained the momentum to win from there.

“Overall, I was over the moon. The mid-summer heat isn’t usually too good for me so I am pleased to have done so well.”

Mitchell also reached the last 16 of the Masters but bowed out to Jamie Bain in the category C ranking event for January’s Lakeside world championships.

Next up for Mitchell is a trip to the Belgian Open in Antwerp next month.