PDC Darts: Brendan Dolan loses to Michael Smith at PDC worlds
Last updated on .From the section Darts
Fermanagh man Brendan Dolan crashed out 4-2 to England's Michael Smith in the second round of the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Despite not playing at his best, Dolan raced into a 2-0 lead as Smith missed his first 15 attempts at doubles.
The number 11 seed managed to win only two more legs as the PDC Young Player of the Year fought back to secure an ultimately convincing victory.
Dolan, 41, has never progressed beyond the second round of the tournament.
The Belcoo man won the first set by three legs to nil on Monday afternoon and looked favourite to progress after adding the second set 3-1.
Former World Youth champion Smith, seeded 22, assumed control of the contest however, reeling off 12 legs out of the next 14, to book a place in the last 16 against either James Wade or reigning BDO world champion Stephen Bunting.
By the end of the contest, Dolan had an average of 92.89, compared with 98.9 for Smith.
Smith, who defeated Phil Taylor in last year's tournament, hit 10 180's on his way to victory over the Northern Irishman.
Dolan had progressed to round two by recording the first whitewash of the tournament in defeating South African Nolan Arendse 3-0.
The 2011 World Grand Prix runner-up has been competing in the PDC World Championship since 2009 but has now fallen at the second hurdle on five occasions.
Last year, he lost 4-1 to Gary Anderson in the last 32, having exited at the same stage in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Michael Mansell, from Clonoe, Tyrone, lost 3-0 to Belgian Kim Huybrechts in his first round match, while Londonderry man Daryl Gurney went out 3-1 to Ronnie Baxter in round one, having seen off Scott Mackenzie 4-3 in the preliminary round.
