Ref. 31016-24The Roon Army was out in force last night as England took a giant step towards bringing football home.

Wayne Rooney and the England boys stormed to a 4-2 victory against Croatia earning themselves a spot in the coveted quarter finals of Euro 2004.

Ecstatic fans, with cheeks and foreheads bearing the cross of St George, cheered the team on in pubs throughout Swindon, while drivers beeped their car horns to celebrate the win.

Supporters partied into the early hours unaware that an England fan had been stabbed to death in Lisbon.

Sonia Keating, 32, of Swindon town centre, summed up the game from her vantage point in front of the big screen at the Kings, in Old Town.

"I thought it would be a struggle but I knew we'd do it in the end," she said.

"This is something for everyone to be proud of."

The florist added: "It brings everyone together from all walks of life. No matter what people's backgrounds are, spurring England on unites people. It's really emotional."

England now face a quarter-final showdown with host nation Portugal.

But it could have all been so different after Croatia took an early lead in the final group game in the Stadium of Light in Lisbon.

It took another 40 minutes before England had anything to cheer about when a Paul Scholes header cancelled out Niko Kovac's opener.

Then 18-year-old Rooney found the back of the net giving England a 2-1 lead in first-half injury time.

The Everton striker netted his second of the evening in the 68th minute, only to see the deficit narrowed five minutes later. But just a few minutes after, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard sealed victory for England with a left-foot strike.

Andrew Kilburn, 20, of Liden, was watching the action with a group of friends at the Merlin pub, in Drove Road, Swindon.

The electrician, a Newcastle and Swindon fan, said: "Rooney has been the player of the championships for me.

"He's a brilliant player. I was a bit worried when Croatia scored first off but I thought we'd get it back again.

"The last 20 minutes of the first half were great as we took the lead before half time."

Linsey Pike, 21, of Rowan Road, in Cheney Manor, said England skipper David Beckham is her favourite player but feels disappointed with his tournament so far.

Linsey, who works in admin, said: "I've supported Beckham for years at Manchester United and although he hasn't done much so far he's still the best.

"Rooney is on great form and I really think we can go all the way."

Ted Kukielko, 47, landlord of the Roaring Donkey, in Old Town, said the atmosphere had been fantastic.

"It's been electric in here," he said. "At the start it was a bit worrying but it's been brilliant."

But Andy Heron, 29, an Evening Advertiser retail sales executive from Ramleaze, had one of the best seats of the house he secured tickets for al three Group B matches.

Speaking from Portugal minutes after the final whistle, Andy said: "The atmosphere has been absolutely electric. Even when England went 1-0 down at the start the fans didn't stop cheering and kept behind England all the way.

"We saw four or five Swindon Town flags dotted around the stadium which was brilliant. There wasn't any animosity and I've thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience."

In Swindon town centre fans poured out of pubs along Regent Street creating a carnival atmosphere, but police reported a peaceful evening.

PC Geoff Smith, of Swindon police, said: "Everyone has been well behaved. The atmosphere has been friendly with a lot of singing and dancing."

Alex Emery