A TEAM of Blackburn Rovers supporters battled it out against French fans from AS Nancy yesterday before their professional counterparts took to the field at Ewood Park.

The Blackburn Rovers Supporters' Club team were unlucky not to win against Nancy, settling for a 1-1 draw at Witton Park before the crucial UEFA Cup clash later last night.

Match organiser and supporters team captain, Warren Wolstencroft, said: "It was a great match and we should have won in the end.

"After coming back from one down we hit the bar.

"The conditions were difficult because it was so wet underfoot but it was very enjoyable.

"There's great banter between the sides and it helps make the UEFA Cup match later on even more of a spectacle."

The score was an improvement from a recent outing for the side.

Earlier this year they were thrashed 17-2 by a Dutch side after a mix-up left them playing professional outfit VV Peize.