Kenny Thompson's men were last night given a serious reality check in match one of their Central American tour.

Despite taking a first-half lead through Stephen Astwood, Bermuda were pegged back by a fast and efficient Panamanian side who gave an early lesson of what life will be like against El Salvador in June in the World Cup qualifiers.

Two goals in two second half minutes by the side ranked 127 in the world destroyed any hope the visitors had of keeping a four-match unbeaten streak going.

On a slow pitch, not in the best condition, the Islanders faced a quick, skilful side capable of all the tricks associated with teams from that part of the world.

Bermuda began in the best possible fashion, with Astwood firing them ahead after 20 minutes.

But, somewhat against the run of play, it was the visitors who took the lead at the midway point in the first half.

A long ball was played out of defence and Ralph Bean brought it down and gave it to Astwood.

His first short was blocked but in the ensuing chaos, the striker - who had to play second fiddle to John Barry Nusum earlier this month against Nicaragua - managed to spin and fire home.

But the lead was short-lived for Thompson's men, with Panama equalising just 12 minutes later through Ricardo Phillips of Tauro FC.

Dwayne (Streaker) Adams was kept busy between the sticks for Bermuda as the home side pressed hard and dominated possession.

But just before the hour mark, Spanish-based star Julio Dely Vald?s headed home and then Luis Tejada netted a close-range strike a minute later to put the game out of Bermuda's reach.

A second from Phillips in injury time rubbed salt into the wounds on what will be a stiff shot in the arm for the travelling Bermuda side.

Although this tour will be a steep learning curve for the Bermuda boys, the atmosphere last night didn't come even close to matching what they will have to put up with in June in San Salvador, when around 50,000 spectators are expecting to turn out.

A mixture of political rallies related to the upcoming election, as well as earlier downpours, limited the crowd at the Estadio Rommel Fern?ndez but it couldn't flatten the atmosphere.

Yellow plastic paint drums were banged throughout by locals, as the Bermudians were given a taste of the Central American's passion for soccer.

Thompson's men move on to Nicaragua next for two games, beginning tomorrow, against the side that came to Bermuda and were twice beaten at the National Stadium courtesy of two goals apiece from Shaun Goater and John Barry Nusum.

Thompson will be hoping to be able to select veteran Kentione Jennings for the next encounter, the influential player missed out on last night's match after spending three hours in the dentist's chair earlier in the week.

Bermuda: Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, David Thomas, Shannon Burgess, Stanton Lewis, Blenn Bean, Otis Steede, Domico Coddington, Khano Smith, Clevon Hill, Ralph Bean, Stephen Astwood.

Panama: (from) Ricardo James (CD Platense/HON), Jaime Penedo (Arabe Unido), Felipe Baloy (Gremio/BRA), Luis Henr?quez (Arabe Unido), V?ctor Miranda (San Francisco FC), Luis Moreno (Tauro FC), Carlos Rivera (Arabe Unido), William Aguilar (Tauro FC), Gabriel G?mez (San Francisco FC), Franciso L?pez (Alianza FC), Engie Mitre (Plaza Amador), Gary Ramos (Tauro FC), Manuel Torres (San Francisco FC), Ricardo Phillips (Tauro FC), Luis Tejada (Tauro FC), Julio Dely Vald?s.