Shropshire darts ace Steve Farmer was left disappointed as he bowed out of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace at the first hurdle.

The 44-year-old from Church Stretton was beaten in straight sets by Australian Paul Nicholson, who impressed with a checkout ratio of 82 per cent last night.

Farmer had been hoping to impress on his first appearance in the PDC version of the world championships, having made the switch from the British Darts Organisation earlier in the year.

A clash with No 16 seed Nicholson always looked a tough test – although Farmer had already beaten the self-styled bad boy of darts in a tournament in Holland this year.

“To be honest it’s a big relief to win and put the match to bed,” said Nicholson. “I had a bit of an edgy start but I settled a lot quicker and that’s a lot down to experience.

“Steve beat me in a tournament in Holland back in October, so it was a case of revenge for me.”

Nicholson cruised through the first two sets, dropping just one leg, and went two-up in what proved to be the final set as well.

Farmer showed some fight in the next two legs, which included a fabulous 161 checkout to win the fourth and force a decider.

Nicholson held the advantage of throw and made that count by kicking off with a score of 137, and he sealed the match in style with a 140 checkout.