Celebratory drinks were being downed. And the Mexican wave had been well rehearsed.

But then the gate-crashers struck, and raided the champagne buckets.

Jamaican striker Paul Davis' 73rd minute equaliser brought the curtain crashing down on yesterday's World Cup bash at the National Stadium.

Faces in the crowd which had earlier been etched with the joy of a nation suddenly dropped.

And as the disbelief gradually ebbed, reality sunk in.

It had been no more than Jamaica deserved. And the array of green and gold flags fluttering in the wind were held, it must be admitted, with justified pride.

"I'm delighted with the result. I'm really, really happy, and there will be a lot of celebrating tonight,'' exclaimed Jamaican Mrs. Rhona Reid, who has lived here 18 years.

Among those keen afterwards to put Bermuda's disappointment in perspective was one of her biggest soccer fans.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan literally beamed with joy at Bermuda's performance.

"I'm really pleased overall. I think we have done remarkably well,'' he enthused.

"If you consider we are a nation of just 60,000 people, and we have to pick our team from that number, it just shows how well we've done.

"Jamaica have around three million and a huge advantage.'' Pointing to his chest, Sir John spoke of the pride Bermuda's World Cup streak had generated.

"It has been a tremendous unifying force, and really wonderful for the country.'' Sir John's words, however, did not entirely capture the mood of Bermuda fans as they trudged from the Stadium.

Just two hours earlier they had poured into the ground in their thousands, brimming with hope.

As Power FM radio star Mr. Glenn Blakeney whipped up enthusiasm, orchestrating the chants of "BDA'', and Shine Hayward dazzled with his saxophone, the fans spoke optimistically of the looming spectacle.

Bermuda would win 3-0, said Bermuda Institute student Mr. Jahmain Coddington.

Senator Maxwell Burgess was a shade more modest, predicting 2-1, with a Shawn Goater goal guaranteed.

"I think our World Cup run has been the biggest unifying force in the country for the last two and a half decades.'' Twenty-one-year-old Mr. Jomar Wilkinson, from Devonshire, was quite specific about Bermuda's chances.

"There will be a goal in each half -- Bermuda scoring in the first 20 minutes, and then early in the second half.'' And when Kentoine Jennings unleashed his rocket in the 51st minute, it seemed the hopes had been well founded.

The stadium, packed with one of the biggest crowds ever, exploded with joy.

It was as if a slowly burning fuse had detonated a fair quantity of dynamite.

But then Jamaica messed up the party.

WORLD CUP CRAZY -- Bermuda soccer hero Kentoine Jennings celebrates after firing his side into the lead in yesterday's World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica, watched by an estimated 5,000 people at the National Stadium.

Bermuda had to settle for a 1-1 draw when Jamaica scored a 74th minute equaliser. Full match report, Page 21.