The NFL is here to stay.

The latest enthralling Wembley match-up, between Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, only whetted the appetite for more to come.

The wait will not be long - Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers will play to another sell-out crowd in four weeks time.

Promotion of the game has been cranked up this year compared to the first regular season clash at Wembley six years ago.

Now 12 teams out of 32 in the NFL have made the trip across the pond (Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots have visited twice) and, while some franchises are yet to be convinced, more and more seem to appreciate the value of the perceived inconvenient trip.

On Saturday, central London came to a standstill when the NFL staged a fan day. Regent Street was closed off and players from both teams made an appearance along with the Vikings' cheerleaders.

Fans could try their hand at American football skills, get their picture taken with the Vince Lombardi trophy and buy merchandise. It is difficult to envisage a soccer match in America being similarly embraced.

The NFL feels there is a gap in the market and they intend to exploit it using all their considerable might.

Before next month's match at Wembley, NFL roadshows will take place in Portsmouth, Birmingham, London and Canterbury and there is an intention to visit more UK cities next year. A London franchise cannot be far away.

On the evidence of last night there is no diluting the enthusiasm to embrace the game. Even a couple of bum notes from Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, on the American national anthem pre-game, could not ruin the occasion.

Both teams came into the fixture with 0-3 records, knowing another loss would all but put them out of contention for the play-offs.

Only San Diego Chargers, back in 1994, have advanced to the play-offs on an 0-4 start and, after last night's 34-27 loss, the six-times Super Bowl winners Pittsburgh have now endured their worst start since 1968.

It was obvious from the outset that this was a high-octane affair. Scot Lawrence Tynes held the record for the longest field goal seen at a regular season game at Wembley - a 41-yarder for New York Giants against Miami Dolphins in 2007 - but, within three minutes, he had surrendered it.

Blair Walsh made a 54-yard attempt to draw first blood to Minnesota 3-0 on their first possession. Back-up quarterback Matt Cassel - replacing Christian Ponder who has a broken rib - then hooked up with Greg Jennings, who scored on a 70-yard completion.

Pittsburgh hit back and rookie running back Le'Veon Bell, on his first trip outside America, scored on an eight-yard run to take the Steelers to within three points.

Vikings' counterpart Adrian Peterson, who has struggled in the opening weeks of the season, then took centre stage as he lit up Wembley with a stunning 60-yard touchdown run.

The Most Valuable Player in the NFL last year suggested pre-game that his time would come, and it did so in spectacular fashion for his first touchdown since the Vikings' opening play of the season.

Walsh nailed a second field goal to make it 20-7 and it added to the growing feeling that this would be the Vikings' night. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked three times in one drive, with Jared Allen - a former team-mate of Lawrence Tynes at Kansas City Chiefs - credited with two-and-a-half of them.

The Steelers' only response before half-time was a 37-yard field goal from Shaun Suisham, but they came out quickly in the second half to cut the deficit to 20-17 when Bell scored his second touchdown of the game on a one-yard run.

However, Peterson was not done, scoring his own second on a seven-yard run to restore their advantage.

To make matters worse for the Steelers, Roethlisberger - nicknamed 'Big Ben' - was intercepted on the next drive by linebacker Chad Greenway.

The Vikings took full advantage as Cassel linked up with Jennings on a 16-yard touchdown pas, leaving the Steelers well adrift.

Roethlisberger then led a fightback of sorts, connecting with receiver Jerricho Cotchery on a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Walsh was wide with a 44-yard and a 28-yard field goal from Suisham brought the Steelers to within a touchdown with less than four minutes left. Roethlisberger took his team to the six-yard line in the final seconds but was sacked by defensive end Everson Griffen and the Vikings celebrated.

Peterson, who ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns, said afterwards: "We really needed the win. We knew we had to come and win and leave London with a victory. We made the plays when we needed them."