Blackburn may have won on the pitch, but Colchester United's fans were truly Premiership class.
Around 2,000 loyal followers made the 250-mile trip to Ewood Park, determined to enjoy the club's biggest FA Cup outing for decades.
Before the game it was difficult to tell which was the home team, such was the army of people sporting U's colours.
Inside the stadium, the noise was deafening and fans released more than 5,000 red balloons into the Lancashire sky.
"It was a sea of red," said John Burns, chairman of Colchester United Supporters' Association.
"The fans did themselves credit and it has put this club on the footballing map."
More in today's Evening Gazette
More on Colchester United FC
Have your say on our Views on the U's bulletin board
Published Monday, January 31, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article