FOR a few minutes at least, she's content. "Boooo! Boooooo!" she yells, beaming happily. "Booooooo! Come on daddy, how loud can you boo?!"

A son would never do this to me.

What should have been a landmark occasion in this generation of the Jackson family history was proving something of an anti-claimax.

Having been unceremoniously turfed out of my own home by my own wife so she could enjoy a day's peace and quiet - I decided to take my only offspring to her First Football Match.

With a son, it would have been planned weeks in advance and, When Saturday Comes, we'd both be in a state of pre-match frenzy ready to cheer the mighty Eagles to the rafters.

With a daughter, I didn't mention the football until we could see the stadium floodlights. The trip was sold to her on the promise of seeing dancing cheerleaders, music and fun at the Selhurst Park Family day.

Crystal Palace v Hull City was just daddy's little bonus.

What a bloody nightmare!

Horrendous traffic meant we got to the ground at 2.45pm - no time for the family frolics, honey, we've got to get tickets. £35!!! Robbery! But hey, we got a post card-sized 'poster' of the Palace first-team. Manager Peter Taylor's inclusion rendered it relevant for all of 48 hours!

The small bag of sweet treats occupied little 'un for 15 minutes - then she needed a 'comfort break' but the sight and aromas of the Selhurst facilities caused her tiny bladder to refuse to function until Daddy had cleaned the immediate area. We'd better be 3-0 up by the time we get back after that. We weren't. It was a dismal 0-0 after 45 minutes.

The chorus of boos was long and heartfelt. I didn't join in. Apart from the home defeat to Brighton I've never booed the Palace. My tiny companion had no such scruples. She's booing with the best of them, she's happy to be making some noise, she thinks it's all over and we're going home.

News that there are still another 45 minutes to endure does not go down well. There are a few tears. Mostly mine.

Suddenly, there's elation at SP! Boos give way to cheers! What have I missed?! Nothing on the pitch, but sitting under the giant TV I can't see that England's egg-chasers have defeated the Australian egg-chasers. Good news that has galvanised the Eagles - Scowcroft scores!

I leap out of my seat - Abi is frightened at the visceral (if a bit girly) scream which escapes me. Worse, I land heavily on her little foot. More tears. But trying to curtail a Palace goal celebration is like trying to stop a wazz mid-stream.

Layers of icing top this sad footballing cake. Hull equalise in the last minute. The drive home is another 'mare. And Palace legend Peter Taylor is axed as boss.

"Want to come to football again with daddy?" I suggest a few days later. "No! I want to watch a DVD with mummy - you can boo on your own!"