ST HELENS darter Michael Smith dropped just one leg in a stunning World Darts Championship second round performance at Alexandra Palace.

After two successive early exits in the sport's biggest tournament, the former finalist powered past Ron Meulenkamp 3-0 with an average of 106.32.

The 31-year-old will now play the winner of Glen Durrant/William O’Connor in round three on Monday 27 December.

Smith said: "It's been a rough two years for me on this stage so I had a point to prove.

“I was thinking that this game was an omen for me as the last time I played Ron on this stage I reached the final so I was thinking about that.

“For me when I was playing darts it was like someone had died back home - that's how bad it was.

“But I had to realise it was just a game of darts and it wasn't the be all and end all - I've seen that now over the last couple of months.

“I'm happy and I'm keeping calm and keeping focused. I get to go home now and enjoy Christmas and a few hours of boxing day and then I'm second on the 27th.

“It's all about concentrating on that next time and getting the win and when I'm in the quarter finals that's when I can think about winning it."

Dave Chisnall went through to the third round after also claiming a 3-0 win over Mike de Decker.

"It was one of those games that was going quite well until I messed up on the doubles,” Chisnall said.

“But that's the way the darts go sometimes - you try your best to hit doubles but I missed double 16 twice and that's not me but sometimes it happens.

“Coming into this tournament I've not been playing very well and I've been getting knocked out. If I hit my doubles I could go really far in this tournament.

“The stage is massive and it's always better having a crowd here. I'm going to give it my all because everyone wants to win the big one and if my play my game and hit the doubles we'll see."

Windle-based thrower Stephen Bunting suffered a round two exit on Sunday.