Antigua & Barbuda now have it all to do in second leg against St Lucia
Millwall defender Mahlon Romeo came on as a late substitute but could not prevent Antigua & Barbuda sliding to a 3-1 defeat against St Lucia in the first of a 2018 FIFA World Cup double-header at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The Bennaboys got off to a promising start and took the lead on 21 minutes through Tevaughn Harriette, but saw their advantage disappear as goals from Tremain Paul (26mins) and then David Henry (61mins) put St Lucia 2-1 up.
But with the home side pushing forward in search of an equaliser Troy Greenidge struck a third goal on the counter-attack for St Lucia leaving Antigua & Barbuda a tough task to overturn the two-goal deficit when the sides meet again for the second leg at the Viv Richards Stadium on Sunday 14th June.
Young right-back Mahlon, 19, entered the fray with 14 minutes remaining when he replaced Akeem Thomas.