A mixture of disappointment and relief greeted England's last-gasp draw against Sweden in Oxford last night.

All the talk at half-time at the City Tavern, in Market Street, was of how far England could go in the tournament, after Joe Cole's long-range wonder goal had put them 1-0 up.

But the only cheers among the 150 people packed into the pub during the second half were reserved for goalkeeper Paul Robinson and goalscorer Steven Gerrard, as the team limped to a 2-2 draw.

Alison Findlay, a 38-year-old Scot, who lives in Witney, was cheering for England and summed up the shift in mood during the game. She said: "The first half was the most convincing England have been so far, but the rest of the game was a bit of a shambles.

"I support Scotland first, but if they're out I always support a home nation.

"I still think England can win it."

Her friend Lizzie Thompson, 26, from North Oxford, added: "I think we're going to get annihilated in the next round, but I really want England to win the cup."

Michael Owen's early injury soured the mood at first, but it soon built up again particularly with cries of 'Rooney, Rooney' every time the Manchester United striker touched the ball.

Excitement hit fever pitch when Cole scored, but England's lacklustre performance drew howls of desperation in the second half.

Michael Westerman, 29, from Cowley, said: "I don't feel like dancing through the streets.

"Gerrard's goal (to put England 2-1 up) was great but it doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence."

Will Adams, 27, from Marston, added: "I'm relieved we don't have to play Germany. I thought Rooney made all the difference and things were coming together, but the second half was a shambles."