Michael Smith fightback beats Martin Schindler in World Championship

ST HELENS darter Michael Smith had to dig deep to reach the last 16 of the Cazoo World Darts Championship.

The number 4 seed trailed 3-1 in sets to Germany’s big scoring Martin Schindler and looked to be joining the high-profile players out of the prestigious tournament.

But Smith found something to win the next three sets in a row to progress to the next round on Friday, where he will meet Joe Cullen.

Schindler drew first blood with a ton-plus average, but a sensational 170 checkout from Smith – the second of the tournament – helped the St Helens star restore parity at one set apiece.

The German was undeterred, regaining the initiative with an 11-darter to clinch set three, and he followed that up with an 84 finish and a 128 on the bull to move a set away from a landmark victory.

However, Smith – a winner at last month’s Grand Slam of Darts – underlined his credentials with a superb fightback, following up a 72 skin-saver in set five with a 114 checkout which turned the tide in the sixth.

Schindler continued to battle valiantly, but Smith’s experience paid dividends in the closing stages, as a clutch 83 combination and a 13-dart hold on tops catapulted the fourth seed through.

“I can’t really put it into words. I’m proud of myself for the way I came back,” said Smith, who averaged 95 and converted two ton-plus finishes to keep his hopes of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy alive.

“I’ve not been at my best. I know I’ve got so much more to give. I know I’m playing well, I know my game is there, it’s just not come out yet.

“You have got to show your character and I have had to do that twice now. You need to get over these scares to hopefully win the event.

“I thought I had killed him with the 170, winning the second set 3-0 and I thought that was game over but he kept coming back fighting every time.”

And it was a backs to the wall effort that pulled Smith through, with a real test of nerve in the do-or-die last three sets.

Smith said: “I kept telling myself I am one of the favourites, if you want to be a world champion them play like one.

“I was not quite there tonight, but showed true grit and what character I have got.

“My scoring was dreadful today so I am going to hit the board tomorrow and find out where my 180s have gone.

“It should be a good game against Joe Cullen.”

St Helens pair Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting face each other tomorrow at Alexandra Palace.