Two Shropshire darters have guaranteed themselves the biggest cheques of their careers – and one could have more to come.

Telford qualifier Andy Roberts is already assured of £2,000 after booking his place in the fourth round of the televised Blue Square UK Open at Bolton last night.

Roberts defeated Carlisle’s Louis Blundell 9-7 in a high quality encounter, just 24 hours after claiming the scalps of two former world champions – Steve Beaton and women’s star Anastasia Dobromyslova.

Roberts was always ahead, but the outcome was in the balance when Blundell levelled at 7-7. But the Shropshire player then found another gear and was on the brink of a nine-darter in leg 15.

He missed a treble 19 after hitting seven perfect darts, but went on to clinch victory in the next to keep alive his hopes in the ‘FA Cup of Darts.’

“There was less attention on me last night than Thursday which suited me – and I certainly played better,” he said.

Roberts was taking on Alex Roy in the last 32 today, and will be in action again tonight should he be victorious.

As well as the £2,000 he is guaranteed, Roberts is also in line for an extra windfall for being the qualifier to go the furthest.

That prize is £3,000 and the only other qualifier left – Ken Mather – plays 14-times world champion Phil Taylor in round four.

Shrewsbury’s Paul Rowley pocketed £1,000 after exiting with a 9-1 defeat to Chris Thompson. “It’s been a great experience and it was pretty surreal to have Phil Taylor practicing next to me,” he said.