The Darts Shop

Veteran John MaGowan put his straight-sets triumph over Chris Mason at the World Darts Championship down to a spot of practice in his garden shed after winning his first-round clash.

The 67-year-old, who came through qualifiers last month to earn his place, outclassed Mason, a finalist in three PDC Pro Tour events this year.

A finish of 70 in two darts gave him the first set at London's Alexandra Palace before Mason found some form to run him close in the second.

MaGowan, who clinched the third despite missing four doubles, said: "It's my best win, certainly in a World Championship. I've been practising hard for this. I've a shed at home and have been in there ever since I qualified, and with plenty of local players too. "It's sharpened me up and that showed."

Finland's Marko Kantele, making his debut in the competition, beat Lourence Ilagan 5-2 in the final preliminary match to set up a clash with Ronnie Baxter.

Last year's surprise runnerup Kirk Shepherd is confident he can clinch the title. He said: "I was an unknown outsider but always believed in my ability and this year I'm looking to go one better. I gave up my job as a sheet metal worker to put in more practice."

He has a tough task in round one against Jan van der Rassel.

Adrian Lewis hit eight 180s in a 3-1 win over Russell Stewart, but said: "I lost concentration at times."