THE champagne is still on ice after a weekend of emotional highs and lows for Blackburn Rovers' promotion hopefuls.

But the general feeling among fans is total confidence in the team and optimism that come the autumn Blackburn will be playing Premier League football.

Rovers went into the weekend knowing that a Bolton defeat and a home win over Portsmouth would put them in dreamland.

But Wanderers put the celebrations on hold with a nail-biting Saturday night victory at Barnsley.

And Ewood Park got an attack of the jitters when Portsmouth took a shock lead early in yesterday's vital game.

But Blackburn held their nerve to beat Portsmouth 3-1 to the relief of the fans.

Paul Keogh, 30, of Livesey was worried that Portsmouth might rain on Blackburn's parade.

He said: "The match was awesome and we are nearly there now. But I thought Portsmouth could win it. I thought it was going to be one of those days. But Rovers are a second half team."

Season ticket holders Michelle McCloy, 26, and Darren Quinn, 27, both from Southport, were glad they made the trek.

Darren said: "It was excellent and a belting performance. They're going to do it." Michelle added: "They played very well, but the ref was rubbish. I'm confident they will get promotion now."

Judith Grimshaw, of Brothers Street, Blackburn, said: "I was very pleased with the win and we're now going up on Wednesday against Preston."

Keith Fitzpatrick and son Neil made a pilgrimage from Arnhem in Holland for the crucial match. Keith said: "We were watching the game against Grimsby on Wednesday night and I said that if we won we'll go over and get tickets so we can be there. We flew over yesterday and watched the Bolton game.

"We had a really good team today and I'm really excited about them getting promotion."

For fans watching in the pub the tension was almost as bad but all were certain Rovers will get there in the end, even if the agonising wait continues until Wednesday.

Trevor Hannon, manager of the Aldephi pub, had watched the Bolton game.

He said: "I thought they were lucky. I felt sorry for Barnsley as I thought they were the better team. Getting one their players sent of didn't help. But Bolton's win adds a little more spice to it but I'm sure they will pull through and Graeme won't let them rest on their laurels. I'm certain they will still get second place, especially with the way they are playing at the minute, and Bolton can still blow it on Tuesday. I'm still very confident."

Life-long Rovers fan Graham Baskerville, of Blackburn said: "I thought Barnsley were very poor and Bolton took advantage of that. I found the game very tense because of what it meant for Blackburn, but I still think they will do it.

"I reckon the players will stay focused and Souness is a good manager who knows what he's doing. I think it could still go right to the end of the season, though I hope that doesn't happen."

Fabricator Shaun Warburton, 18, of Neath Close, Blackburn, said: "I was a bit annoyed about the Bolton result but I still think we're going to do it. It's going to be a tense wait for the matches in the week."

His mate and fellow fabricator Rob Maguire, also 18, of Snowdon Avenue,

Blackburn, added: "Rovers are going up but I don't want Bolton to do it. I would like Preston North End to go up as well so they can get whipped every week."

This report comes courtesy of our sister paper the Lancashire Evening Telegraph