Rovers fans endured a rollercoaster of emotions during the FA Cup semi-final clash at Old Trafford. The Lancashire Telegraph travelled with the supporters on their big day.

ROVERS fans travelled back to Lancashire dejected - but proud of their team.

The dream of the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley was over.

The 23,000 Blackburn supporters heading home were left to reflect on Morten Gamst Pedersen's header and a couple of other near-misses and if-onlys.

But the over-riding feeling was one of immense pride that their team had pushed the superstars of Chelsea to the limit, especially after Rovers' poor 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the semi-final two years ago.

And as the fans were full of praise for the team, Rovers manager Mark Hughes paid tribute to the phenomenal support.

In the battle of the supporters, Rovers were victorious, out-singing their Chelsea counterparts throughout the match. Hughes said this vocal backing helped his team fight through fatigue to keep going.

The day started at 1pm when dozens of coaches left Ewood Park in the sunshine for the short journey to Manchester and a 90-minute trek to the new Wembley.

Men, women and children, dressed in blue-and-white shirts and making the most of the weather wearing shorts, were full of optimism as the convoy headed down the motorway.

Manchester city centre had already been taken over by Rovers fans who had travelled via train, Blackburn chants echoing off the buildings around Deansgate.

Coaches soon began arriving at the ground and by around 2pm, fans were being unloaded onto already overflowing streets.

An official sign welcomed fans. It read: "Welcome to Old Trafford the supporters of Blackburn Rovers FC" - perhaps that was because Manchester United fancied Rovers more in the final!

Around the ground, fans soaked up the sun, singing the songs of the terraces and talking over the form.

And Chelsea and Blackburn fans mixed together without a hint of trouble. The only clash was the London and Lancashire accents.

The small number of pubs were packed inside and out. Queues formed outside off licences as supporters bought cans of beer to drink in the streets.

By 3pm the streets began to empty and the ground filled.

The stands were a deafening cacophony of horns, chatter and song.

Rovers fans seemed to cherish the occasion more than supporters of Chelsea who are perhaps spoiled by their success.

A sign of the difference in support was that Rovers' empty section was the £55 price range. Chelsea more or less filled these sections and seemed to have spaces in the cheaper areas.

Despite not being full, it was a fantastic atmosphere and, from Rovers' point of view, brought back memories of the glorious Worthington Cup Final of 2002.

When Frank Lampard put Chelsea one-nil up on 16 minutes, it only seemed to spur the Rovers fans on more.

But the team could not get the better of their opponents and the talk at half time was of perceived poor performances by Roberts and Mokoena and why Derbyshire was not playing.

In the second half the support continued and the team dominated. Roberts and Mokoena made amends, putting in fantastic performances.

And when Roberts scored on 64 minutes, the fans went crazy. The Wembley dream was on.

The only sideshow for the fans was the pantomime villains in the form of a referee and Chelsea players.

Many thought Pedersen's header was in, but instead extra time loomed.

Wembley was only meant to be 90 minutes away and fans were becoming as weary as the players.

The atmosphere was subdued by anxiety.

Then Michael Ballack drilled the ball home. Chelsea fans went wild.

And after a few seconds' pause, Rovers fans launched into a passionate and spontaneous song.

They were proud of their team.

At the end of the game the fans saluted the players and vice versa.

Both richly deserved the applause.