DORSET darts ace Scott Mitchell made a solid start to the PDC Challenge Tour season.

Mitchell, who missed out on a spot on the main tour after failing to come through Q School, competed in the second tier over the weekend.

The 52-year-old took part in five tournaments across three days in Milton Keynes, coming away with £1,075 in prize money, which leaves him 14th on the order of merit.

Mitchell’s best run came in the second event, where he progressed all the way through to his first final of 2023.

Scotty Dog recorded seven victories, including wins over German pair Max Hopp and Lukas Wenig, before losing to fellow former BDO world champion Christian Kist 5-2 in the final.

The top two players on the Challenge Tour at the end of the year qualify for the World Championship and a spot on the main tour.