SAINTS legend Mick Channon was on target for England the last time they met Portugal in a European Championship match in Lisbon.

But his joy of finding the net turned to despair back in November 1975 as England failed to go on and get the win they needed to qualify for the finals.

Channon struck from a free-kick late in the first-half to cancel out an early goal by the Portuguese.

"We went for the winner after the break but it never came and having got so close, everybody was down afterwards," said Channon.

"We all felt a bit empty.

"There wasn't much happening for England at the time and it was just another big disappointment.

"I don't remember a lot about the game. The one that always sticks in my mind was the one against Poland at Wembley where they stopped us going through to the World Cup finals."

Channon was unlucky enough never to figure in the final stages of the World Cup - England failed to qualify in 1970 or 1978 - or the European Championships, but he believes the current England side can go all the way in Portugal.

"This is the best chance we've had of winning the European Championship," he says. "I can't see any better teams out there."

But Channon, who played 46 times for England, sees Portugal as "the danger team" of the tournament.

"This could be the hardest match of all," he says of tonight's quarter-final clash.

"If you're the host nation you always have an extra incentive to win the tournament, but it's more than that with Portugal.

"To me they have been a bit underrated because they get the ball forward well.

"Christian Ronaldo is a handful and Luis Figo, although he is getting on a bit, can still make things happen.

"If we get through this one we've got a great chance. No one else has really jumped out and grabbed me yet, and a few of the so-called powers are already out. Sweden look as good as anyone left in."

Channon wasn't too confident of England prospects going into Euro 2004 but he says: "Wayne Rooney's changed all that. He's lit up the tournament.

"Every time he gets the ball we're on the edge of our seats expecting something to happen. He's one of the rare breed who likes to take players on.

"For me, he's the best talent since George Best. He's completely uninhibited.

"He's playing on pure instinct.

"It's fantastic to watch but I tell you what - he'll pay for it when he gets home.

"He'll be the most tightly-marked man in the Premiership next season."

What excites Channon about England is that "they look as if they can score every time they get forward."

He explains: "We have quality players like Gerrard in midfield and with Owen and Beckham working hard for the cause, we've always got a chance of opening people up.

"We look as good as any side out there and if there are times when we looked a bit vulnerable at the back, it's because we are getting forward so much.

"When we did sit back against France, we looked quite tight and well organised."