Unbeelievable! Ross Smith stung by wasp on stage during World Darts Championship

The number 16 seed moved into the third round at Alexandra Palace with a 3-1 victory over Niels Zonneveld

Ross Smith eased into the next round (Zac Goodwin/PA) (PA Wire)

Ross Smith was stung by a wasp on stage at the World Darts Championship after avoiding second-round pain to Niels Zonneveld.

Number 16 seed Smith eased to a 3-1 victory over Zonneveld before running into problems at Alexandra Palace.

“There’s the wasp,” Smith said in his post-match Sky Sports interview as he noticed the insect.

The Englishman then recoiled in pain and said: “He’s just stung me like a good one.”

Smith, a prolific maximum hitter, was below his best but still produced seven 180s and the second 170 checkout of the tournament to see off plucky Dutchman Zonnevald.

“It wasn’t a great game and I didn’t play nowhere near what I can,” said Smith. “But I can enjoy my turkey and pigs in blankets now.

“I tried to get some fire in my belly, but it was really difficult. I was a bit nervy the last couple of days, everyone is because you just want to get through.

“I will relax now and hopefully be better after Christmas.”

Exeter debutant Owen Bates lost a two-set lead as Ireland’s Steve Lennon fought back to win 3-2.

Lennon won nine of the last 11 legs against the 21-year-old crowd favourite to claim the win needed to retain his PDC Tour card.

“I don’t know how I won that,” said Lennon. “I was panicking deep down, it’s a massive win.”

Bates had qualified through the PDC Challenge Tour and emerged with huge credit from a pulsating contest, hitting five 180s and producing 101 and 108 second-set checkouts.

It wasn't a great game and I didn't play nowhere near what I can. But I can enjoy my turkey and pigs in blankets now

Ross Smith

But Bates missed five doubles for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set as Lennon, who hit six maximums, grew stronger and booked a second-round meeting with Welshman Jonny Clayton.

Lennon’s compatriot William O’Connor had a far more comfortable time with a 3-0 victory over Bhav Patel.

The Indian left-hander was close to a 157 finish but he failed to win a single leg and the impressive O’Connor – who hit 64 per cent of his doubles and averaged 98.74 – will play Chris Dobey next.

Poland’s Cork-based Radek Szaganski took to the stage on his Alexandra Palace debut wearing the colours of the Irish flag.

Szaganski overcame Finland’s Marko Kantele 3-2 with a final set 142 checkout helping him through to a second-round clash with five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld.

There was more drama in the evening session as No. 4 seed Peter Wright was dumped out of the tournament in the second round. Coming up against Jim Williams, Wright never got into rhythm and lost three sets in a row to set up his early exit.

After his win Williams said: “It’s a difficult game. I’ve got so much respect for that man. I was just fighting myself all the way there a little bit.

“Probably [out of] respect and trying too hard, there’s load of things. But I’m getting a double when I need to and that’s the name of the game.

“I feel ok, I don’t know, it’s a little bit frustrating but hopefully I will get there.”

The other three matches of the night session resulted in victories for Ryan Joyce who defeat Alex Spellman, Richard Veenstra after his 3-0 win against Ben Robb and 16-year-old Luke Littler who eased past Christian Kist in straight sets.