ABSOLUTELY gutted. That was the only way to describe the mood across York at 10.30 last night.

Footie fans who crammed into the city's bars for England's crucial quarter-final showdown were left bitterly disappointed as the team crashed out of Euro 2004 6-5 on penalties.

For almost three hours, they endured the euphoric highs and gut-wrenching lows of an emotional rollercoaster, collectively willing the nation's sporting dream to become a reality.

It was nail-biting stuff from start to finish, the match packed with more unbelievable drama than an episode of EastEnders.

Owen's early strike, Campbell's disallowed goal in the dying minutes, the stunning comeback in extra time and Beckham's appalling penalty kick - by the end, we were completely exhausted.

At The Melbourne, in Cemetery Road, York, grown men shed tears as Portuguese goalie Ricardo put the ball into the back of the net to clinch victory for the host nation.

Landlord Wayne Allan said it had been a "brilliant" match until the final seconds.

"We've had a brilliant week and a half, but what's wrong with David Beckham?" he said.

"He's on more money than anyone else and he's done nothing."

Printer Michael Nicholson agreed that Beckham had not been at his best. "He spoiled the game for England."

Les Pickard, of Heworth, York, who had predicted a 2-0 win before the match, was stunned by the defeat. "I feel terrible," he said. "Why was the goal disallowed? It was a perfectly good goal."

His wife, Sandra, said: "A taxi driver said to me today that because they are the host nation everything would go their way. I think he was right."

Soldiers Andy Fennell and Dave Scambler, of Leeds, had also forecast a 2-0 scoreline, and were nearly too upset to speak after the match. "It's so bad," said Andy.

Nigel Heaton, of Rufforth, said: "It's a game. I think we were robbed with the decision on the goal from Campbell," he said.

"But it was an exciting match and a cliff-hanger all the way."

Updated: 10:35 Friday, June 25, 2004