The visitors drew first blood but Bermuda's national football coach Kenny Thompson was smiling almost as much as his opposite number after yesterday's defeat against Barbados.

Despite Bermuda's 2-1 loss at the National Sports Centre, the architect of their game plan said he took many positives from the Island's overall performance against their Caribbean guests.

He was pleased with the entire match, especially the opening 20 minutes and most of the second half when the home team looked really goal-hungry.

Unfortunately, he noted, the Bermudians took "a bit of a dive" late in the first half, conceding two goals within five minutes ? both to Bajan midfielder Paul Lovell.

"That's always difficult to come back from but the response by my players in the second half was tremendous," said Thompson, hailing the half-time introduction of US-based star John Barry Nusum who swung the momentum in Bermuda's favour.

"John Barry made a big difference. We know what John Barry can do so in this case there was no need to start him because this is about providing some other players with exposure.

"These matches are about gauging where we are and I was able to take a lot from this match."

Nusum's entry into the game allowed Bermuda to play some long balls when they were pressured defensively. That, the coach pointed out, was not an option in the first half.

Come New Year's Day ? when the Dudley Eve Memorial Trophy will be up for grabs ? Thompson is confident Bermuda will play "much better" with "a few adjustments".

Barbados coach Kenville Layne will also be returning to the drawing board in his efforts to ensure his footballers emulate the heroics of their cricket counterparts back in September when Barbados swept Bermuda in four matches.

However, he acknowledged the home squad have given him something to think about before next Thursday when Barbados' three-game tour concludes.

"I'm a little surprised. I've never seen Bermuda play before and I didn't know how high the standard of their football was.

"Now I have an idea of what they do I can come well prepared for the last game."

Like Thompson, Layne is in the building process as he readies Barbados for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

"At the moment we're doing a lot of endurance training so we didn't go into much tactical work.

"Also, I'm trying to fit players in the right positions because I'm a new coach doing the World Cup for the first time. So, for me, this is a good result," he explained, adding that he will give some other players a run against Dandy Town tomorrow.

The tall and lanky Lovell sealed the Bermudians' fate with two strikes in the 39th and 43rd minutes as Barbados came into their own. Both originated from long, strong throw-ins ? right into the penalty box ? by Barbadian skipper John Parris. On the first occasion, Lovell's header ricocheted off defender Kentoine Jennings and into the net.

There was initially some confusion as to whether the goal would be credited to Lovell or be deemed an own goal. Ultimately, referee Anthony Mouchette ruled in the Barbadian's favour.

Lovell made sure there was no doubt about his second stroke of success as he slammed home from point-blank range after Bermuda's keeper and captain, Dwayne (Streaker) Adams dropped the ball. The latter caught a Parris throw-in and seemed to have things under control when he appeared to slip and suddenly the ball was loose at Lovell's feet.

Bermuda enjoyed the early ascendancy as the Barbadians ? a bit tentative and careless in their passing ? sought to come to terms with the fast turf and the cool, overcast conditions.

Striker Khano Smith had the first genuine chances for the Island as he headed a Kofi Dill cross over the bar and then had a shot from distance parried away by Bajan goalie Bernard Howell.

It was Kwame Steede, though, who had Bermuda's best opportunity of the half about ten minutes before the break. Stanton Lewis delivered a superb cross from deep on the left wing and a rocketing header by the wiry Steede curled just wide, beating both the keeper and the crossbar.

The cat-and-mouse game looked destined to frustrate Bermuda's quest throughout as Smith, Nusum and another half-time substitute Jared Peniston squandered at least six scoring chances among them ? all within the 18-yard box and some from point-blank range.

Barbados, with their two-goal cushion, had opened the second half with greater assurance and looked much sharper with top players like Norman Forde and Gregory (Lalu) Goodridge coming into the reckoning.

Just when the home team seemed to be out of luck and running out of time Nusum came up with the goods. Finally, getting things right with a long ball from Lewis which landed at his feet ? and already steps ahead of his markers ? Nusum coolly slotted the ball past Howell to give Bermuda some hope in the 79th minute.

A rasping, 20-yard shot by Domico Coddington a minute later was as close as they came to equalising.

There was one final freaky moment when Mouchette opted for a drop ball after an injury break. Barbadian substitute and striker, Walton Burrowes, won the ball and his lob from about 30 yards hit the crossbar as an advancing Adams was woefully out of place.

D.Adams, K.Dill, S.Lewis, M.Hunt (D.Thomas, 45 mins), K.Jennings, J.Warren (T.Manders, 67 mins), M.Wade, D.Ming (J.Peniston, 45 mins), R.Bean Jr (D.Coddington, 61 mins), K.Steede (J.Nusum, 45 mins), K.Smith. B.Howell, W.Sobers, J.Parris, K.Cox, R.Burrowes, R.Grosvenor, K.Hall, P.Lovell (W.Burrowes, 72 mins), N.Forde (S.Hall, 80 mins), L.Riley (C.Holmes, 80 mins), G.Goodridge. K.Dill, M.Hunt, M.Wade (Bermuda); G.Goodridge, K.Hall, W.Burrowes (Barbados). J.Nusum (Bermuda); W.Sobers (Barbados). A.Mouchette.