Amateurish flashes at critical junctures cost Bermuda in last night's 3-2 defeat to New England Revolution.

National coach Kyle Lightbourne expressed a mixture of pride and disappointment in the outcome, given that the national team twice went ahead only to surrender easy goals amid an onslaught of Revolution-ary firepower.

He admitted the Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit's tactic of exploiting the flanks proved to be the Island's undoing. Both of New England's first-half goals came via the ball being pushed wide on the right wing for Jamie Holmes to net en route to a hat-trick; beating goalkeeper Timmy Figureido at the near post twice.

The second goal was particularly painful for Bermuda as it resulted from a quickly-executed free kick which Lightbourne's men failed to defend as they lapsed in concentration.

Lamenting the "sloppy" goals which the home side "gave away" to squander 1-0 and 2-1 advantages, the coach said: "The second one was especially bad because all we had to do was stand on the ball and slow them down from taking the free kick but we turned our backs on it.

"The amateur side came out there. We need to be switched on when the ball goes dead. We need to come alive and watch what's going on. So that was disappointing."

Such complacency, he stressed, has been a major problem for Bermuda at international level.

"That is a big part of it. After you score you know the next five or ten minutes are important. You can't keep giving the ball back to the opposition," added Lightbourne.

The coach disclosed that he did discuss the trouble the team was having patrolling the wings with players but to no avail.

"We did talk about it in the break ? most of the crosses came through number 30 (Ryan Latham) ? but they are professionals and they are going to find that space. We have to learn to stop those crosses from coming in."

Lightbourne also admitted that the gifted Shalrie Joseph ? the Revolution's skipper ? was a source of many headaches, dictating play from midfield.

Once again, he hailed the outing a "learning experience for the guys" and complimented Khano Smith and Domico Coddington for good finishing in scoring for their country.

"The more matches we have, the more we are going to learn. I don't think we were outclassed , they know they had a tough game tonight," noted Lightbourne.

New England head coach Steve Nicol also applauded the Bermudians' performance, saying "they stuck at it and they gave us a good run".

"We went behind twice. Their first goal was great. It was a great cross and a great finish as well. Overall, they made some good moves as well.

"I think we had most of the possession which made it difficult for them but, certainly, they did get a few good chances and scored twice."

Clearly pleased with his own club's showing on unfamiliar ground ? more accustomed to astroturf than grass ? he expressed delight with the result which left the Revolution unbeaten in Bermuda.

"I was disappointed with the defending we had in the first half. I think the goals could have been avoided with better play from us but overall we're happy," he added.

"We played some good football. We wanted to play well for 90 minutes and I think we have generally done that here."

Asked about the penchant of playing the ball wide, the coach acknowledged it was a deliberate plan.

"Yes, it's something we like to do against any team. If you get the ball wide and get in behind the fullbacks then you're going to cause problems for the opposing defenders.

"Tonight we got a chance to do it regularly."