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"The win was there. We are aware victory was there."

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

The hosts trailed seventeen to nil at the interval, only to fight back and draw level on the hour.

Nonetheless, the New Zealand team, who had multiple members sent to the penalty box, scored late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the chance of a historic win in this fixture.

"I'm really disappointed first of all, because the effort that went into that second half performance was all character," Townsend stated.

"We needed to kick on when it got to 17-17 and there were a couple of big moments that swung New Zealand's way.

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

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

"Elements of that game show we are up there with the best teams in the world. We just need to make that next step."

Key Moments of the Match

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

"Teams get fatigued when you knock on the door," 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 play Argentina and we need to apply what we have learned.

"This is the initial occasion this team has been united since the Six Nations. To get that unity immediately is challenging and to see it develop during the game is encouraging.

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

"It represents the nearest we've come to victory, I believe. We dominated the later stages, field position, pressure, ability. We've not achieved that against New Zealand in our past and we are improved for the experience.

"The team's path continues today. We have a crucial game coming up and more important games to come in the Six Nations."

Captain's Reaction

Scotland leader Sione Tuipulotu described the defeat as "bittersweet" and emphasized the importance of a victory against Argentina, having opened the autumn series with a record score against the United States.

"I instructed the boys we required a response at half time," he said. "We could surrender or choose to go for it.

"There was no downside and everything to gain.

"We have to bounce back for the upcoming match because Argentina aren't going to make it simpler."