"WE ARE still proud of you" were the emotional cries from hundreds of Eagles fans who had met to cheer on a team that had already gone above and beyond all expectations this season.

The longed-for fairytale ending was not to be, though, as fellow Championship side Cardiff prevailed to become the first team in the Carling Cup final.

A win against Premiership giants Manchester United was just one of the highlights of Crystal Palace's Carling Cup campaign, but dreams of lifting the trophy were dashed in the cruellest of ways – a penalty shoot-out after 210 close-fought minutes.

Before kick-off

NERVY fans met an hour before kick-off in the Glaziers Pub at Selhurst Park, to watch the build-up to what was arguably the clubs biggest game for two decades.

Score predictions ranged from weary 0-0 draws to more optimistic fans predicting a 12-0 thrashing by the Eagles.

Craig Lunders, 22, from South Norwood, said: "You've got to be confident, haven't you?

"You've got to believe – what else is there to do but hope? Look how well the lads have done getting this far."

Other supporters sat quietly staring into their pint glasses, as a more vocal group sang "We Believe" and the Palace fans' favourite, "Glad All Over".

Paul Mayhew, 21, from Selsdon said: "I don't know what I will do if we score, I'll go mad. No-one expected us to get this far.

"We need to show them we are a big club. We've had a rough couple of years but I think the worst is over."

Catering manager Nico Raisys said: "We opened up the pub for all the fans who weren't lucky enough to get tickets, and we are packed. Half an hour before kick off we had 240 people in the pub but we are expecting about 300. It is a great atmosphere and I just hope the boys can do it."

Even the quietest of fans took part in the almighty roar that rocked the pub as the players came onto the pitch.

First half

JUST seven minutes in, defender Anthony Gardner turned from hero to villain with an own goal – just two weeks after heading the only goal at Selhurst Park, which gave the Eagles their narrow 1-0 lead to take to south Wales.

But the crowd in Selhurst were a forgiving bunch.

Chris Wilkes, 22, said: "You can't blame him – I bet he feels terrible. He has been one of our best players all season, we need to keep behind the team."

From then on in it was all Cardiff, though fans were becoming increasingly irate at the decisions of World Cup Final referee Howard Webb. Lee Wilkes, 42, said: "I don't know why Webb keeps being given big games – it is clear he can't handle them."

Half-time

FANS are still optimistic.

David Carlisle, 29, from Woodside, said: "It wouldn't be Palace if it wasn't done the hard way. We only need one goal, one golden goal.

"So far we have held our own but we've got to play carefully. It is all about keeping our composure. I think we have a 50/50 chance of going through. It is tight."

Comedian Mark Steel, draped in a blue and white Palace scarf, was among those in the crowd.

Second half

AGAIN a roar sounded as the players came onto the pitch.

Shouts of "Eaglessssss" and "Dougie Freedman's red and blue army" continued for the whole of the second half, during which Cardiff hit the woodwork twice and Palace continued to ride their luck.

Scott Warson, 20, from Brockley, said: "We need to get hold of the game. You can see how much it means."

The referee came in for more stick as he sent off Palace skipper Paddy McCarthy in the 78th minute, for a second booking. Some heroic defending, however, ensured the game went into extra time.

Extra time

DESPITE playing with only ten men, Palace continued to mount a spirited rearguard action. Fans bit their fingernails as a penalty shoot-out loomed.

Mark Baker, from West Croydon, said: "I think we can do this, we just need to hold on. I hope it doesn't go to penalties, I hate penalties."

There was time for one last piece of drama – Cardiff midfielder Aron Gunnarrson hit the crossbar with a header in the final minute.

Penalties

EXTRA time came and went with no further goals, leaving only one ending – a penalty shoot-out.

Mark Baker said: "I hate this. I have been a Palace fan my whole life and I feel sick, I don't know why we do this to ourselves."

Palace finally crashed out of the cup, with Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton the hero – saving spot kicks from Jermaine Easter and Sean Scannell to book the Welsh team's fourth trip to Wembley in the last four years.

The fans then left the pub weary but also with pride – that Crystal Palace are once again a team on the up.