Sussex soccer fans held a wake to mark England's exit from the World Cup.

Bleary-eyed supporters queued outside pubs and bars from 6.30am to watch Sven's men crash out to Brazil.

Heads were buried in flags of St George and fans in tears hugged each other in consolation as the final whistle blew.

In Brighton and Hove, normally busy rush-hour streets were all but deserted as fans either stayed at home or packed into city-centre pubs to watch the game.

Many had got up at 6am or earlier to make sure they got prime positions in front of giant screens.

Fans were seen carrying televisions as they went into work early, determined not to miss the excitement.

Many firms laid on breakfast and big screens to encourage staff not to take the day off.

Schools opened early or suspended lessons until after the game so children could stay at home to watch.

Brighton and Hove High School in Temple Gardens opened at 7am so girls could see the match.

Hove Park School in Nevill Road, Hove, let pupils stay at home to watch and started lessons at 9.45am.

David Hunter, headteacher at Blatchington Mill School, Hove, said: "We organised a vocational training day to coincide with the game.

"It meant we were able to close the school and those who wanted to see the game were able to do so."

Lea Pulling, duty manager at Sainsbury's at Hangleton, Hove, said the superstore was deserted during the match.

He said: "We hardly had any customers first thing this morning but we were busier than usual last night.

"It meant most of our 70 staff were able to see at least some of the game on a television in the canteen."

A queue of fans built up outside the King and Queen in Marlborough Place, Brighton, from 6.30am.

By the time manager Tony Humble opened the doors 30 minutes later, it stretched all the way to the traffic lights in North Road.

He said: "I could not believe there were so many people queuing to get in to see the game.

"We had about 400 people here when the game kicked off and the atmosphere was great."

The pub was decked out in the flags of all the countries in the competition and pictures of England heroes David Beckham, Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand took pride of place above the bar.

Staff dressed in England shirts served customers breakfast rolls of sausage and bacon with their pints.

Computer programmer Colin Robinson, 25, from Lewes, got up at 4.50am to make sure he got a good spot to watch the game.

He said: "I work in Uckfield but my boss let me take the morning off to be here for the match. I will be going off to work straight afterwards."

Vets' assistant Emily Mann, 30, of The Level, Brighton, took the day off and was confident England were heading for a win when the team went in ahead at half time, thanks to a Michael Owen goal.

She said: "This is my lucky pub. It is where I watch all the England games and, so far, they have not let me down."

At the Font and Firkin, in The Lanes, Brighton, another 300 fans draped in flags of St George and England shirts roared encouragement at the start of the second half.

Their cheers turned to stunned silence when Brazilian striker Ronaldinho's free kick left David Seaman standing.

Fans buried their heads in their hands and watched the replays in disbelief as they realised England could be heading out of the contest.

They were cheering again when Brazil were down to ten men after goalscorer Ronaldinho was sent off for a tackle on Danny Mills.

After that, every England attack was met by deafening roars of encouragement as the team pressed for the equaliser.

The cheers became more nervous as the final four minutes of injury time ticked away.

At the final whistle, one girl supporter buried her face and cried as England's dreams came to an end.

Brighton flatmates James Evans and Katie Whyte gave each other a consolation hug as they left the Font and Firkin.

James, a neuro-science undergraduate at Sussex University, said: "I am absolutely gutted. We all thought England could win the game."

Many disappointed fans stayed on to drown their sorrows as others went off for a late start at work.

Dozens who had watched at the King and Queen joined in a consolation kickabout on the lawns in Marlborough Place.

But not everyone was sad to see the Brazilians claim their place in the semi-finals.

Bradley Johnston, 19, from Bevendean, Brighton, was celebrating their victory at O'Neills bar in The Lanes.

He said: "I have always supported Brazil, even when I was a boy. They are the best team in the world.

"Their players have always been brilliant and their quality shone through today.

"For them to be down to ten men from the 57th minute and still be able to beat England says it all."

Police said they had received no reports of trouble anywhere in the county after the game.

A spokeswoman said: "We have handled the usual number of calls you would expect for the time of day but nothing to do with the football."