BOLTON-based darter Ross Smith felt he let his supporters down with a third-round defeat at the UK Open at the Reebok on Friday night.

The 24-year-old from Tonge Fold lost 9-7 to Dutch star Jelle Klaasen in the tournament dubbed ‘The FA Cup of darts’ to fall at his first hurdle.

Smith was naturally down after a defeat he put down to not being on his A-game.

But he was even more disappointed for the fans who crowded round board eight in the Premier Suite to get a glimpse of their home favourite.

Speaking exclusively to The Bolton News after his exit, Smith said: “I know that wasn’t my game.

“To be honest, Jelle has been playing really well lately and I have as well.

“He struggled a bit and it didn’t happen for me. I am gutted I have lost.

“I am more gutted for the fans, though, because I had a lot of support today. I feel that I have let people down.

“It has hurt me.

“I heard the crowd and they were supportive and brilliant.

“I have been playing a lot lately but I am not going to blame anyone or anything else.

“It just wasn’t my day."

Smith only returned from the Austrian Open on Monday and has had a hectic time on the PDC circuit.

But he blamed nothing other than consistent scoring on the night for his defeat.

He added: “I could have stood and practised six hours a day this week but it doesn’t mean you are going to go up there and hit 100-average.

“When you are hitting 60 and 58 it isn’t good enough.

“At this standard of darts, you have to be hitting tons, 40s and 80s.

“I will take it on the chin and look to the next tournament.

“”I just keep going. There is no point in dwelling on it.

“I want to get better and better.

“I am only 24.

“My main goal is to be right there with the big boys in five years or so.

“It doesn’t matter what your age is.

“You look at Michael van Gerwen – he’s the man at the moment and I used to play youth with him when we were both 16.

“I have known him for years.

“Hopefully, I can improve just like he has and be up there alongside him competing again in a few years.”