THE BOYS on the pitch may not have done themselves justice on the day but there was no doubt about the performance of the fans -- they were simply fantastic.

More than 30,000 Preston fans made the journey to the Millennium Stadium by train, coach or car turning the Welsh capital into a sea of white as they mingled good naturedly with Bolton fans.

Dave Parker from Preston said: "There's been a lot of friendly banter between us and the Bolton fans. It's all been very civilised and we are just enjoying the occasion. It's a great day out."

Jamie Mercer, aged 11, who travelled with his dad Carl from Walton-le-Dale was speechless when he took his seat in the Millennium Stadium.

"It is awesome," said Carl. "You can't even begin to describe it. We would never have dreamed of getting this far so it will be a great day." Sadly for the North End supporters the dreams didn't quite materialise on the pitch.

But they shouted the loudest from the moment the teams came out onto the pitch for the warm-up to the moment their victory hopes were finally dashed.

Fireworks and a rousing rendition of the national anthem followed before the fans settled down to roar on their heroes, even when they fell behind.

Once promotion was clinched, only then did the Wanderers fans out-sing the North End contingent.

For some the end was too much to take and a few wiped away tears, but them manager David Moyes issued a final rallying call of the season to his players to applaud the fans.

And the supporters responded in true fashion, waving their scarfs, flags and clapping and cheering the team that had come so far in such a short space of time.

Paul Smith from Freckleton, who was finding it hard to accept, said: "To get this far and then lose is a hammer blow. I feel gutted but it has been a terrific season.

"No one can take that away."

So the dream was over -- until next season. HARD TO TAKE: A North End fan realises the dream is finally over. CARNIVAL: Fans made it a fun day. WHITE NOISE: Supporters created a deafening wall of noise in the stadium. By Citizen Reporters at

the Millennium Stadium when Moyes will be hoping Preston live happy ever after in the Premiership after giving the fairytale a happy ending.

Then they knew it was all over when Wanderers super sub Michael Ricketts slotted the ball home in the 90th minute.

Jon Macken and Paul McKenna fell to their knees knowing that was it while Healy ripped off his shin pads and threw them into the sidelines with sheer frustration. Several fans put their hands to their faces in horror.

Ricardo Gardner's injury time goal was academic - it was over by then and all it did was make the 3-0 scoreline more flattering for Bolton. Once promotion was clinched, only then did the Wanderers fans outsing the North End contingent.

But, while Preston skipper Sean Gregan wiped away the tears and the Deepdale players sat with their head in their hands, manager David Moyes issued a final rallying call of the season to his players to applaud the fans.

And the Preston supporters responded in true fashion, waving their scarfs, flags and clapping the team that had come so far in such a short space of time.

"If we had lost to Birmingham in the semi-finals it would have been easier to take," said Paul Smith from Freckleton, who was finding it hard to accept.

"To get this far and then lose is a hammer blow. I feel gutted but it has been a terrific season.

"No one can take that away."

So the dream was over - until next season when Moyes will be hoping Preston live happy ever after in the Premiership after giving the fairytale a happy ending.