RUSSIAN queen of darts Anastasia Dobromyslova saw her Blue Square UK Open dream shattered with a last-leg defeat to Robert Thornton in Bolton last night.

The World Ladies Champion incredibly led the Scot 2-1 at one stage at the Reebok before eventually losing narrowly 6-5.

Dobromyslova – who has13-times world champ Phil Taylor as a mentor – said: “I thought I had him at one stage. It’s disappointing to lose but Robert is a good player. I came close but next time I will do better. It’s been a great experience.”

The Ayrshire Scot was quick to admit that he felt the pressure. He said: “It was like playing Russian roulette. This was a no-win match for me. I was going to get booed if I won and booed if I lost.

“To be honest I couldn’t have been given a worst draw. Ana had everyone behind her but people forget that she’s a terrific player.

“I’m just happy to get the match out the way. And although Ana took me all the way to the wire, I don’t really care, I’m through and that’s all that matters.”

Thornton got off to the best possible start with a tidy 15-dart finish but classy Ana hit back to take her own throw in the next leg. Thornton was then rocked by losing his own throw in the third leg before taking the next three legs to lead 4-2.

But the Russian proved to be a thorn in his side by coming back to draw level. World Master Thornton then hit the best leg of the match, a 14-darter, to take the ninth leg but wobbled missing three darts to take the tie next time out.

However the Scot regained his composure to take the deciding 11th leg comfortably to progress – having hit two maximum 180s and three 140s along the way.

He added: “It honestly was like playing with a gun to my head. It’s never easy playing a woman – mainly because of the hype surrounding the match.

“It’s just one of those matches you have to get out the way. Now I need to just knuckle down and get on a good run.”

Thornton qualified for the third round today with a more comfortable 6-2 over Bob Crawley but Wayne ‘Hawaii 501’ Mardle survived a scare after trailing Gary Welding 3-1 but recovered to win 6-3.

Young Joe Cullen, the 18-yearold Bradford postman, smashed Mark Stapleton 6-0 before beating veteran Denis Smith 6-3 to qualify for the third round.

Dennis Priestley also made it through to the third round with easy wins over Danny King and Mick McGowan while another stalwart Bravedart Jamie Harvey rolled back the years with a stunning 6-1 victory over former Lakeside world champ Richie Burnett and 6-4 win against Dave Harris.

Meanwhile Bravedart Jamie Harvey rolled back the years with a stunning 6-1 victory over former Lakeside world champ Richie Burnett.

Harvey hardly broke sweat with classy finishing against the out of sorts Welshman.

He said: “I’d love to shout from the rooftops about my win but I can’t because I’ve lost my voice!

“All the partying over the years is now taking its toll. But I’ll try and be silent and deadly and win the title.”