BOLTON’s Lisa Ashton insists she is more than ready to take on the men after making darts history.

The Lancashire Rose, a four-time BDO Women’s World champion, became the first woman to win a PDC Tour card through the organisation’s Qualifying School on Sunday in Wigan.

That means the 49-year-old will compete on the ProTour in 2020 and 2021 after holding on to the final qualification place on the Q School Order of Merit on a landmark day for the sport.

Ashton, who starred in the 2018/19 PDC World Championship, had to endure a nervous wait after going down 5-2 to Justin Smith in her second game of the day, resulting in no points being added to her order of merit tally built up over the first three days of competition.

However, results over the course of the day meant that Ashton's nine points, the bulk of which were won in her run to the last eight on day two, were enough to secure her place on the PDC professional circuit for the first time.

Ashton was one of six players tied on nine points, but she and Darren Penhall held the advantage in number of legs won over the four days to take the final two qualification spots.

"I am so, so happy to finally get my tour card," said Ashton, who missed out by one point at 2019 Q School.

"I was sat there all day with people trying to work out if I had qualified so I just said 'tell me at the end, I can't deal with the stress’!

"So when I found out I'd done it, that was a great moment.

"I want to play all the tournaments I can. I'm going to have a damn good go at whoever I play, they need to be ready.

"To come through a field of over 500 men, I couldn't be any happier.

"But I know I've got more in the tank and now I'm going to take my dreams wherever I can."

A dramatic final day of action in Wigan and Hildesheim saw both UK and European Q Schools reach their climax.

Joining Ashton in winning tour cards via the UK Q School order of merit are 11 players headed up by former World Championship runner-up Andy Hamilton.

The first three days of action saw six players win tour cards outright at UK Q School, along with three at European Q School.

All 31 PDC tour card winners will get their first taste of the PDC ProTour in 2020 at Players Championships One and Two which will take place at the Barnsley Metrodome from February 8 and 9.