Clyde Best pleaded with the football fans of Bermuda to have patience after seeing the national team beaten by a late goal at a muddy Devonshire Rec. last night.

Despite the disappointment of defeat, director of coaching Best was satisfied with the efforts of his players over the two friendlies against the Caribbean side.

Antiguan substitute Conrad Whyte grabbed the winner seven minutes from time, prodding home from close range to give Bermuda goalkeeper Timmy Figureido no chance.

But it was the home side who created the better chances over the 90 minutes and strung together some neat passing moves, despite the disruption of making five changes from Tuesday's 1-0 win over the same opposition at Somerset.

Best said: "People think it's just going to happen overnight, that we're going to be able to go out there and turn it on.

"But it doesn't happen like that. We've played two competitive games and I think we've done very well. Now the important thing is that we get more games.

We made five changes to the team and brought some young players in and I've been impressed with all of them.'' Figureido, Kofi Dill, Randy Spence, Devon Binns and Ellington Weldon were the five players Best had drafted in.

Dandy Town midfielder Binns had a fine game and nearly crowned his performance with a goal when he struck a stinging 35-yard shot on the half hour which Antigua keeper Trevor Hunte did well to tip over the bar.

The home country's best effort of the first half came in the 37th minute when Kenny Mills back-heeled Otis Steede's cross goalwards, but Hunte managed to block.

But Figureido had to make a brilliant double save a minute before half-time to keep the scoresheet blank, foiling first Quinton Clarke and then Ranji Christian.

On the hour, a Mills corner caused chaos as Hunte failed to gather under challenge from Keishon Smith. The ball ran loose, but the visitors managed to scramble it clear.

Vasco striker Ascento Russell had the ball in the net three minutes later after he latched onto Randy Spence's pass, but the goal was ruled out for off-side.

Bermuda: T.Figureido, K.Jennings, Ko.Dill, S. Burgess, O.Steede, K.Smith, R.Spence, K.Mills, A.Russell, D.Binns (K.Roberts 70 mins), E.Weldon (Ka.Dill 62 mins).

Antigua: T.Hunte, S.Jeffers, G.Dublin, J.Joseph (D.Merrick 45 mins), M.Tittle, Q.Clarke, R.Christian, S.Anthony (D.Greenaway 60 mins), A.Nesbitt (K.Watts 72 mins), W.Roberts (C.Whyte 45 mins), T.Charles.