Bermuda's cricketers almost pulled off a sensational upset yesterday when they forced the highly-favoured United States to bat down to the last ball for a one-wicket triumph in the penultimate series of matches in the Americas Cup in Argentina.

In a game reduced to 40 overs apiece because of rain, Bermuda managed 140 for seven after being asked to bat first when captain, Charlie Marshall, lost the toss for the fourth successive time. They then fought gallantly to restrict the American batsmen.

It came down to five runs, six balls with Hasan Durham given the challenge of bowling the crucial final over. It was then two runs, two balls, and finally one run, one ball - and a scampered single to cover-point by the American tail-enders to secure victory at 141 for nine.

"We are very disappointed. This was a game we should have won, especially with the last two (American) batsmen at the wicket being bowlers. Of all the games we played this was perhaps the most upsetting because the US knocked us out of the ICC (International Cricket Council) tournament last year and today was our chance for revenge," said Marshall, rueing the missed opportunity to beat the US for the first time.

"It was a great game though and I am really proud of how the guys played. We went through some pressure situations but the guys were able to focus and do what they had to do. We just needed some more runs - about 180 off our 40 overs. I think that would have done us well."

In last summer's ICC Trophy competition in Toronto, Canada, the US beat Bermuda by 57 runs. The US scored 200 all out in 49.3 overs and then dismissed the Bermudians for 143 in 46.1 overs.

Marshall noted that the experience of former West Indies Test player Faoud Bacchus, who captained the US, proved telling in yesterday's nail-biter played out on the astroturf surface at Longchamps ground.

""Bacchus destroyed Bermuda with his experience even at 49-years-old. He scored a very important 33," said his opposite number.

In Bermuda's innings, teenager O.J. Pitcher led the scoring with 43 and there were contributions of 36, 25 and 15 from Aaron Adams, Marshall and Wendell White respectively. Howard Johnson took two for 38 off eight overs for the US and three of his colleagues took a wicket each. There were also two run outs.

Bacchus, a Guyanese national now resident in Florida, and Amjad Khan were joint top-scorers for the US with 33 each while Donovan Blake made 21. Herbie Bascome and Durham bagged three for 19 and three for 31 respectively off eight overs each to spearhead Bermuda's bowling attack. Vice-captain Dwayne Leverock chipped in with two for 21 and there was one run out.

"I've been really impressed with the contribution of our senior players. They have done well throughout this tournament. It's also been a learning experience for our young players. We worked hard today and it was an excellent defence of our total," said Marshall, adding that the team was looking to finish on a winning note against Argentina today.

Perhaps a bit superstitious, the captain disclosed that he will not be spinning today's toss since he seems to have "no luck at all". His deputy, Leverock, will handle that duty.

"All the teams that have lost the toss and been asked to bat have lost their games," he stated.

In the competition overall, the United States are the only unbeaten team and their last match is against Cayman Islands today. If they win, they will be the Americas Cup champions. However, should they lose and Canada win against the Bahamas, the title will be determined by net run rates.