Reggie Lambe accused Bermuda of complacency after they surrendered a two-goal lead against Barbados in an international friendly at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

The Bermuda captain also questioned his team-mates’ fitness levels and believed they were punished for “feeling the game was too easy” during an insipid second-half display.

Bermuda were in full control at half-time after goals from Willie Clemons and Jaylon Bather before taking their foot off the gas and conceding three times after the break, including twice in the dying embers of the game.

“I think fitness played a big part,” Lambe said. “We had players going down with cramp and had to make substitutions. I don’t think we stuck to our principles from the first half and started to feel the game was too easy.

“We got a bit complacent and started to sit back and just keep the ball in areas we shouldn’t be keeping the ball. We let them back in, that’s what it boils down to.”

Lambe said it was inconceivable that Bermuda should be losing at home to teams such as Barbados.

“We know that we were the better side,” Lambe said. “I just think we need to cut out the silly errors. We started to think the game had become too easy and that happens in football. You start to take your foot off the gas a little bit and you let teams back in. We knew whichever team scored the first goal in the second half would be crucial.”

The 26-year-old was instrumental in Bermuda’s bright opening, curling a shot against the post and linking up well with fellow professional Zeiko Lewis.

Lambe’s performance dipped after the break, however, and he admits his frustration got the better of him as he picked up a silly booking for a shove on Barbados substitute Elijah Downey.

“I was frustrated as I expected better from myself in the second half,” Lambe said. “We started to take too many touches and that’s when they gained a foothold in the game and started to press us.”

Lambe chose country over club to return home to lead Bermuda against Barbados, missing Carlisle United’s 2-2 draw away to Chesterfield in the Sky Bet League Two at the weekend.

He will now quickly turn his attentions to helping Carlisle prepare for their FA Cup first-round match at home to Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

“Anytime you have a frustrating result you want to get back out on the field to put it right straight away. I can’t wait now to start training with my [Carlisle] team-mates.”