Here are a few suggestions to make the code clearer and perhaps then garner more helpful answers:

• use strict
• use warnings
• use Test::More instead of trying to roll your own testing framework
• Avoid prototypes
• Avoid localising $_
• Avoid capture groups which you never use
• Avoid P. It's fine in your own code but here it is unnecessary (or would be if you used Test::More) and is another barrier to help.
• Pick a formatting scheme and stick to it. Random whitespace doesn't help.

In summary, help us to help you.

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