FROM heroes to zeroes in two minutes -- and East Lancashire football fans were left drained by the emotional rollercoaster ride.

Thousands crammed in town centre pubs and front rooms and were left wondering how the Euro 2004 match at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon slipped away from Sven's team after they led 1-0 for so long.

But depite two goals in two minutes from Zinedine Zidane the defiant red and white army are confident that victory is round the corner with forthcoming matches against Croatia and Switzerland.

Delight at Frank Lampard's bold 37th minute goal against the reigning European champions turned to despair as the French hit back with two goals -- one a penalty -- in stoppage time.

"We are absolutely gutted," said Claire Hill, 24, of Rockcliffe Street, Blackburn, watching the match in Postal Order, Darwen Street. "It is a real disappointment to see them get carried away and throw it all away. It's just typical England."

Chris McNulty, 34, of Great Harwood, said: "France put the pressure on. England did brilliantly and they can go on to win. It's devastating to think they lost after the match they played."

Overall, fans were proud of the team's performance and hopeful of victory. Paul Warnock, 21, of Bethesda Close, Blackburn, said:" "They were on top for the first half. As fans we have done what we can -- the flags being flown and worn is brilliant. It's great to see."

Police presence was increased in the towns but inspector Stuart Bruce said there were no major incidents. "Fans were well behaved in the main," he said.

DJ Jamie Harvey, of Clayton-le-Moors, was working at Bailey's bar: "It was a good atmosphere in here, but I think a lot of people opted to watch the match out of town before coming in."

In Clitheroe, pubs like The Dog, The Swan, Key Street Bar and the Rose and Crown were full as flags fluttered on Castle Street helping to create a real festival atmosphere.

Thousands packed into pubs across Burnley with the town's Big Window on Manchester Road one of the most popular venues.

Joanne Etherington, 38, of Harle Syke, Burnley, said: "I really thought we were going to win. The atmosphere was great and everyone was very optimistic. When we scored it was fantastic, but then at the end it all went wrong."

Sandra Nuttall, 41, of Manchester Road, Burnley, added: "It's a very disappointing result, especially as we were leading and should at least have drawn if not won. We have to stay optimistic, though because we have got a good team."

Christine Ewens, 41, of Coal Clough, Burnley, said: "I don't know how we lost, everything seemed to be going so well. It isn't the end of the world, though, we just have to come back and win the next two games."