Jamaica 1 Bermuda 1 A 19th minute penalty miss by Meshach Wade proved costly for Bermuda at the National Stadium last night as the two countries ended this Pan American Games qualifier on level terms, leaving it all to play for in tomorrow night's second leg (7.00 p.m. Bda time).

That miss, along with others by Bermuda in the first half enabled Jamaica to remain in the game.

They took the lead in the 36th minute only to have it wiped out by Nakia Smith's strike in the 42nd minute.

Before and after there was plenty of drama as first, a power outage of some 15 minutes annoyed the small crowd of about 1,000, and then a second half catalogue of misses by Jamaica frustrated the home supporters even more as Bermuda were fortunate to escape defeat.

"I thought in the end it was a fair result because they had some good chances,'' said Bermuda coach Mark Trott. "We had a lot of chances in the first half and when you have three clear cut chances including a penalty, you can't complain if you keep the opposition in the game.

"Because we didn't put our chances away they got a penalty and scored and we made it difficult for ourselves. That's been our trademark for the whole series, we just keep missing too many chances.

"I think both teams balance out. There are skillful players on both teams and today it was an entertaining match for the crowd.'' The stadium and the surrounding Kingston area went into darkness after just five minutes of play but when the game resumed both teams quickly picked up where they left off.

After 19 minutes Bermuda looked set to take the lead when Raynel Lightbourne, often the lone man in attack, was brought down by defender Kevin Graham as he tried to turn in the penalty area. The stadium was in silence as Costa Rican referee Rodrigo Badilla pointed to the penalty spot.

Wade strode confidently to the penalty spot and though he struck his kick firmly it was too close to the left of 'keeper Julian McLeish who was able to make a diving one-handed save to concede a corner.

Wade seldom put a foot wrong after that as he, Donnie Charles and Dano Outerbridge were kept busy in the heart of the Bermuda defence by the Jamaican front trio of Garth Peterkin, Steve Green and Nathaniel Barnes, who scored against Trinidad and Tobago in the last qualifying match.

Charles' determination to match the Jamaicans blow for blow got him into trouble in the 22nd minute when he was booked for a foul. Then in the 36th minute Charles conceded the penalty that led to the opening goal.

Fabian Davis, the Jamaican skipper, slotted the spot kick into the net to 'keeper Dwayne Adams' left.

Sloppy defending by the Jamaicans enabled Bermuda to pull even three minutes before the break when Kevin Jennings was allowed to cross inside the six yard box and Nakia Smith, following up, drove his shot into the empty net from an angle.

Adams was beaten a second time in the closing moments of the half but this time the shot from 25 yards by Fitzroy Anglin hit the post, much to the relief of the diving 'keeper.

The match was still wide open in the second half as both teams made changes, Tokia Russell coming on for the injured Nakia Smith who was carried off with a knee injury in the 66th minute. Jamaica replaced two of their three front men and both substitutes nearly produced match-winning goals late in the game.

Alme McFarlane actually had the ball in the net in the 83rd minute but had it ruled out for a foul he committed to get behind the Bermuda defence. In the last minute Tyrone Davis, the other sub, drove a curling shot just past the post.

Before then a good chance fell to Kevin Jennings who shot weakly at the 'keeper after the hard working Keishon Smith had set him up.

"It was an entertaining match for the crowd, they got their money's worth and can't really complain,'' added Trott.

Said Jamaican coach Emerson Henry: "I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't score more goals. Then we conceded a stupid one. But we created some decent chances.'' Both teams know it is do or die tomorrow night when the winners will qualify for the trip to Argentina next March along with Trinidad and Tobago who have already advanced from this zone.

Bermuda: Dwayne Adams, Andrew Rahman, Blenn Bean, Meshach Wade, Donnie Charles, Dano Outerbridge, Keishon Smith, Nakia Smith (Tokia Russell 66 mins), Ottis Steede, Kevin Jennings, Raynel Lightbourne.

Jamaica: Julian McLeish, Kevin Graham, Moses Allen, Boris Johnson, Christopher Dawes, Fitzroy Anglin, Fabian Davis, Gregory Messam, Garth Petrkin (Tyrone Davis 67 mins), Steve Green (Alme McFarlane 78 mins), Nathaniel Barnes.

Referee: Roridgo Badillo (Costa Rica).

Linesmen: Thelford Thomas (Antigua), Brainard McLaughlin (Cayman).

Men of the match: Fabian Davis (Jamaica), Dwayne Adams (Bermuda).

NAKIA SMITH -- scored Bermuda's only goal at the end of the first half.