for as it was his surging run through the Haiti defence that created the chance for Shawn Goater to give the local team a much-needed advantage heading into the second leg.

A late addition to the squad, Clarke said that he was just happy to be in the team and felt comfortable with whatever role he was asked to play.

"I just came on to do whatever job the coach wanted me to do and it paid off,'' said a jubilant Clarke after the match. "I've been working on using the speed I have to go cross players as of late. I just thought I'd try my luck and it came off.'' Indeed Clarke has become known for his abilty to muscle past defenders and create chances. Goater himself had high praise for Clarke setting him up with the winning score.

Said Goater: "I'm greatful for Phil (Clarke) coming in and knocking it about and allowing me to just get the tap-in.'' Still, the young professional, who heads off today to return to English club Rotherham, was not pleased with his own performance as he was kept out of the match for long periods by the Haitian defence.

"I just wasn't with it today.

"They (Haiti) use their bodies differently. They're sharper than the English player who defend from behind you and try to nip in front.

Having had only one training session with the squad Goater had trouble adjusting to the local style of play. And it showed with several misreads of through-balls by the midfield.

"The service is different here but that's no excuse, everyone did their jobs,'' said an obviously dejected Goater. "I need to keep my chin up and look forward to the next game.'' While Bermuda will have to sort out the goal-scoring problems that continue to plague them, the defence showed once again showed themselves to be a capable bunch.

Particularly outstanding was sweeper Leroy Stevens who seemed to be everywhere at the back, cancelling out any attack the visitors tried to mount. In fact he and the rest of the back four, Voorhees Astwood, Shawn Smith, and Kevin Grant made the Haiti frontline look quite ordinary.

Said Stevens: "Our man-to-man marking made the game simple.

"They (Haiti forwards) gave us no trouble at all, our only trouble was with our forwards not getting goals.'' Gary Darrell's men played a much more physical game than what has been seen in the past where teams have been able to manhandle them a bit. Kentoine Jennings set the tone early in the match with a crunching tackle against his opposite number in midfield, who came out of it the worse for wear.

New skipper Meshach Wade expressed pleasure with the way the side came together under his leadership and with a few refinements -- particularly on set pieces -- would like to see a similar performance on the return leg in Port-au-Prince.

Casualties of the match included one over-zealous fan who was taken to the hospital with a suspected broken bone in his right foot after leaping onto the field from the eastern stands.

Sammy Swan was also stretchered away as a result of a severe left shoulder bruise received in a clash with Haiti's Chrismonor Thelisma.