Jamaica's Eric Vernan (centre) is tackled hard by Barbados' central defender Bryan Neblett (right), as goalkeeperAlvin Rouse comes out to make the save, during the Digicel Caribbean Championship match at the National Stadium last night. - Ian Allen

COACH John Barnes last night said the Reggae Boyz got "a wake-up call" after having to wait until the final 15 minutes to peg stubborn Barbados 2-1 off Rodolph Austin's 76th-minute strike, and a penalty from Luton Shelton five minutes later in their Digicel Caribbean Championship final-round opener at the National Stadium.

"We have to understand, to qualify for the Digicel Cup, you have to be a good team. The organisation and tackling Barbados showed was a wake-up call for Jamaica, Trinidad and the other teams, because it is going to be a difficult and hard road for us," he said.

"You saw what Barbados can do and what Grenada can do, so I am under no illusions," added the new Jamaica coach, who earlier watched Grenada surprise Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 in the opening match of the double-header

Stunned audience

The sparse crowd inside the office were left gasping in first-half stoppage time after unmarked Riviere Williams headed a corner from the left past goalie Donovan Ricketts to give Barbados a 1-0 lead.

Thoughts of a gut-wrenching loss and another upset after Grenada had floored World Cup qualifying final round team Trinidad and Tobago lingered well into the second half before Austin levelled the score with a well-taken goal.

Austin trapped a high pass on his chest on the penalty spot from substitute Dane Richards and skilfully fired over the head of goalkeeper Alvin Rouse, who was caught in two minds on the edge of his six-yard box, pondering whether he should try and shut down the Jamaican midfielder.

Austin's goal opened up Barbados, who were before quite content to play nine or 10 men behind the ball, defending their first-half goal but Richards again had a hand in the Reggae Boyz's winner, which came from the boot of Shelton, a well-struck penalty, which gave Rouse no chance.

Richards cut in from the right side and played a pass to Shelton on the edge of the six-yard box but the striker failed to control and hit the ball straight back to his teammate.

Winning goal

The speedy Richards kept possession and laid off for Shelton, who in turn headed back to him, nicking a defender's hand in the box, earning the winning goal.

Jamaica, who will next play Grenada at Jarrett Park, 7 p.m. tomorrow, enjoyed possession throughout the match in a 3-5-2 formation under coach John Barnes.

However, sweeper Tyrone Marshall, defenders Oneil Thompson and Demar Stewart, the six-footers inside the box when Williams scored unmarked, earned the wrath of the faithful fans, who stuck with the team after its failure to advance from the final round of CONCACAF qualifying three weeks ago.

The Reggae Boyz should have led from the 23rd but Salvadoran referee Joel Aguillar denied midfielder Eric Vernon a clear penalty after he was brought down from behind by Neblett Bryan.

Richards, who came on as a 71st-minute substitute for Rafe Wolfe, got his chance to equalise for Jamaica before Austin's goal but his 73rd minute snap shot went straight to Rouse from point-blank range.

Earlier in the evening, Trinidad and Tobago, who will face Barbados tomorrow in the 5 p.m. opening leg of the Jarrett Park double-header, were stunned by Grenada, who got goals from Kithson Bain in the 36th and Ricky Charles in stoppage time for a 2-1 win.

Cornell Glenn equalised for Trinidad in the 69th but Grenada had the final say when Charles beat the keeper from close range.

Jamaica's Omar Cummings has the ball, but is surrounded by Barbadian defenders Jonathan Straker (left), Romell Burgess (right) and Bryan Neblett during the Digicel Caribbean Championship Group 'A' match at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won 2-1. - Ian Allen