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"Victory was there. We know victory was within reach."

Head coach Gregor Townsend expressed satisfaction in the Scottish display against New Zealand but felt deflated by a seventeen to twenty-five defeat at Murrayfield.

The hosts were behind 17-0 at the interval, only to storm back and tie the score on the hour.

Nonetheless, the New Zealand team, who had multiple members sent to the sin bin, scored late through Damian McKenzie to deny Scotland the chance of a first victory in this match-up.

"I'm really disappointed first of all, because the effort that went into that latter period showing was pure determination," Townsend remarked.

"We needed to kick on when it got to seventeen all and there were a few key instances that went New Zealand's way.

"Outstanding second period, we demonstrated who we are today and we probably revealed our identity by not getting the win as well.

"Progress is evident in this team and we have to win those crucial points when the game is there for us.

"Elements of that game show we are up there with the top sides in the world. We just must make that next step."

Key Moments of the Match

• Tries from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn brought Scotland back into an absorbing contest.
• Darcy Graham and Rory Hutchinson had been held up over the line in the opening period when Cameron Roigard and Will Jordan scored for the visitors.

"Opponents get tired when you apply pressure," said Townsend, who has now been defeated in multiple home Tests against the All Blacks as head coach - all by single digit margins.

"I would like to be playing New Zealand again soon. We meet Argentina and we need to apply what we have gained.

"This is the initial occasion this squad has been united since the Six Nations. To get that cohesion immediately is difficult and to see it grow during the game is positive.

"But it's so frustrating with that performance that we failed to achieve a win.

"It represents the nearest we've been to victory, I think. We dominated the later stages, territory, intensity, ability. We've not done that against New Zealand in our history and we are improved for the experience.

"Our journey continues today. We have a very big game next week and bigger games to come in the Six Nations."

Skipper's Reaction

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu labeled the loss as "mixed feelings" and stressed the significance of a win against Argentina, having started the autumn series with a historic result against the United States.

"I instructed the boys we needed a response at half time," he said. "We could we lie down or decide to fight back.

"We had no downside and everything to gain.

"We have to bounce back for the upcoming match because Argentina will not make it simpler."