Sussex was left virtually deserted as thousands of England supporters stayed home for today's World Cup match against Nigeria.

Roads were almost empty during what would have been morning rush-hour, while pubs did a brisk trade as the game kicked off at 7.30am.

Some workers made an early dash to the office to watch the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw but meant England qualified for the tournament's second phase.

England now face Denmark at the weekend.

Many fans headed for the pubs, where they hoped to recapture the atmosphere of Friday's 1-0 win over Argentina.

Shelley Carroll, manageress of the Preston Park Tavern in Havelock Road, Brighton, said the pub was packed with about 70 supporters eager to watch England qualify.

She said: "A lot of people in here have their own firms so they could take the time off. Others disappeared straight after the game."

Many employers and schools allowed their staff to watch the game, which ended just after 9.15am.

Staff at Brighton and Hove City Council's offices were allowed to watch the match at home and arrive late for work.

A council spokesman said: "It's at the discretion of managers and we have to ensure services continue to run, but we are being very flexible."

Andy Schofield, headteacher at Varndean School in Balfour Road, Brighton, allowed all 1,200 pupils to remain at home to watch the match and start the day at 10am.

He received two complaints from parents but said: "If we had not taken the decision to allow them to watch it at home some of them would have stayed at home anyway."

Every pub and bar with a television in Worthing was packed with soccer fans.

At the Assembly Rooms in Chapel Road a loud cheer went up as the final whistle was blown.

Revellers had to wait a few more minutes to hear the result of the Argentina v Sweden game before the partying really started.

That match ended in a 1-1 draw, which meant Argentina went out of the competition.

Daniel Burke, 20, from Worthing, was on a week's holiday from work.

He said: "It's a good result for England but on today's performance I don't think we will get any further. I think we will get found out by Denmark."

Phil Pegg, from Worthing, said: "It was well worth getting up early for. This could be our year."

Lucy Stone, from Lancing, near Worthing, said: "It was an average game. I have always said Nigeria will be hard to beat so I'm not disappointed with the performance of our players."

Extra police officers were drafted in to patrol the centre of Worthing after trouble during previous matches, but fans were too busy cheering on the team to cause trouble.

Acting Chief Inspector Allan Lowe said: "It has been quiet and good-natured in the town centre today."