It was a night they will never forget - but football fans in Bradford were still behind England despite their defeat at the hands of Argentina last night.

Pubs screening the crunch game throughout the city were packed to the rafters for what turned out to be a nail biter of the first degree.

But, as disappointed supporters slipped away at the end of the tension-filled match that saw England's World Cup hopes dashed, they were still full of support for the team, who this afternoon were flying home on Concorde.

In The Queen in Bridge Street there was a stunned silence after the deciding Argentinean goal rattled past David Seaman into the England net.

And as the fans watched the dejected England team on the pitch, they showed their appreciation for their hard-fought game by bursting into applause.

At the end of extra time, as Argentina prepared to take the first penalty, there were only two words on their mind - David Seaman.

The telepathic vote of confidence would have been enough to make him invincible - but it never got through to him.

Afterwards there was criticism of David Beckham's foul which led to him leaving the pitch in shame, and there was praise for the ten remaining players.

David Jubb and Sandra Boocock travelled into the city centre from Cottingley to watch the match.

"It was a good game and I think the Argentineans played well but we should have won," she said.

Mr Jubb said: "We fought brilliantly. It was the best game out of the four and we deserved to win. Until the second half we had them." Jamie Illingworth, of Bingley, said: "I'm just totally devastated - Beckham cost us dear."

Wibsey fan Philip Gelder added: "We couldn't have asked for any more from them. We can go out with our heads high."

England coach Glenn Hoddle came in for praise from Jonathan Ratcliffe, from Clayton. "He did what he could - he brought the right people in."

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