NATHAN ASPINALL jokingly tried to take a dart back out of the board after a failed nine-darter.
The Asp, 33, sailed into the quarter-finals at Ally Pally with a 4-0 whitewash win over Ricardo Pietreczko.
It was exhibition stuff at times from the Stockport star as he blew away his struggling German opponent.
And in the fourth set, with Aspinall leading 3-0, he came close to the perfect leg.
After six treble 20s on the spin, he returned to the oche needing a 141 checkout to complete the third nine-darter of the tournament.
But his seventh dart failed to find its target, much to the disappointment of the crowd.
And following the missed opportunity, Aspinall walked up to the board and pretended to take the dart out of the board.
The commentators began laughing as the 12th seed shook his head, before he regrouped to close out the leg and match.
Reacting to the funny moment, one fan said: “Absolutely loving seeing him back enjoying himself.”
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Another added: “Darts needs more Nathan Aspinall’s, what a bloke .”
A third replied: “Feels like I’m watching an exhibition.”
While a fourth responded: “What is this game .”
Last year, Aspinall suffered from “dartitis” and was reduced to tears by the issue.
But he has recovered to secure his spot in the last eight of this year’s world championships – where he will face Luke Littler or Ryan Joyce.
