The crowd at the National Sports Centre went through a wide range of emotions last night.

There was hope, there was fear, there was outrage, there was defiance and anger, there was plenty of anger.

Over-riding all of those however was a sense of pride. Pride in a side that gave everything only to fall foul of the one thing that no-one in football can control, a referee's blunder.

Brave Bermuda fought, scrapped and held their own against Trinidad and Tobago and, if there was any justice in the world, would this morning be nursing hangovers after celebrating the greatest result in the nation's sporting history.

But they aren't. Instead the hangovers will be ones of sorrow, but the pride should still be there because they weren't beaten by Trinidad last night, they were robbed by a referee and a fourth official who got their wires crossed in the most costly way.

The anger spilledemore thanre than as the referee left the pitch to a shower of bottles, cans and peanuts raining down from the stand, but it was only a small minority. The rest of the crowd instead focused on a team who left the field to a standing ovation that was richly deserved.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown summed up the nation's feelings immediately after the game.

"First, let me congratulate our team and coaches for their valiant effort. Every team in the region will now respect us again as a serious contender.

"I went to speak to the players on the field after the game. They were understandably dejected but I told them they had nothing to be ashamed of. They played their hearts out and won the hearts of Bermuda."

Kenny Thompson, the Bermuda coach, praised his side for the way they had performed and insisted that there were greater things to come from his team.

"I'm extremely proud of the players for their two performances against Trinidad," he said. "They have been tremendous and I'm proud to be the coach of such a dedicated group.

"I know they will bounce back. I've been in the dressing room and told them how proud I am of them. Their effort and commitment has been first rate. We've shown we can compete with these teams. It's a step to much greater things. "

The whole evening showed that despite the local rivalries, a united Bermuda is an awesome sight, one that David Bascome, the Island Soccer League commissioner, was blown away by.

"The atmosphere was electric, this is all about pride," he said. "The spirit of the Island was awesome, Bermudians should be proud. We are proud people who love our country and this was a prefect time to show everyone that we support our team."