KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Another miserable batting performance completed Bermuda's ICC Trophy nightmare yesterday as they crashed to 57-run defeat against newcomers Scotland and out of the competition.

The loss meant that Scotland and Hong Kong, who defeated Bermuda last Tuesday, advanced from Group D to the quarter-final round robin stage while Bermuda were relegated to the Plate competition for group losers.

It marks the first time a Bermuda side have failed to reach the quarter-finals in ICC Trophy history and means they cannot now qualify for the 1999 World Cup in England which will feature all of the Test playing nations as well as the top three qualifiers from Malaysia.

Entering yesterday's match in a must-win situation, Bermuda faced a challenging but not impossible target when they held the Scots to 231 for eight in their allotted 50 overs.

But after skipper and opening batsman Albert Steede was bowled for one by Michael Allingham in the first over, it was all too apparent they were fighting a losing battle.

Fellow opener Dexter Smith went on to make 18 in an encouraging 48-run second wicket stand with Roger Trott (19) but after they departed nothing went right for Bermuda with Bruce Perinchief (19) the only other player to make a reasonable contribution.

Not one of the Bermuda bats reached a score of 20 as they were bowled out for 174. In fact, the extras column of 36 was the largest contribution to that final total.

Earlier, Janeiro Tucker, whose brilliant century rescued Bermuda against Papua New Guinea on Friday, turned in impressive bowling figures of three for 25 in seven overs, aided by Arnold Manders (2-49) and Del Hollis (2-32), but Scotland always appeared comfortable defending their total of 231.

After Dexter Smith played on to his stumps from a ball by Stuart Kennedy with the score on 53 and Trott followed nine runs later, caught by wicketkeeper Davies off Kennedy, Scotland assumed total control.

Bermuda arguably lost the match between the 10th and 30th overs when they could muster only 40 runs against the accuracy of seamer Kennedy and left arm spinner Keith Sheridan.

A frustrated Clay Smith departed for 11, hitting a loose shot into the hands of Kennedy off Sheridan and when Charlie Marshall was trapped lbw by Sheridan for 15, Bermuda were in dire straits at 93-5.

Manders and Tucker put on 22 for the sixth wicket but then quickly followed each other back to the pavilion, Manders caught for 14 and Tucker caught for 10.

Dean Minors, who finished unbeaten on 18 and Bruce Perinchief, caught behind for 19 off John Williamson, provided a partnership of 39 but by that time it was far too little, too late.

Allingham conceded 34 in his four overs but picked up three wickets while Kennedy, Sheridan and Bevan all earned two wickets apiece.

Scotland's innings had been built on an opening stand of 98 by Ian Philip (49) and Bryan Lockie (33) while George Salmond (44) and John Williamson (42) put on 71 for the fourth wicket.

While the Consolation Plate schedule couldn't be confirmed last night it appears Bermuda will play their next match on Wednesday. The Plate final is scheduled for next Saturday with the ICC final a week later on April 12.