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"The win could have been ours. We know the win was there."

Manager Gregor Townsend expressed pride in the Scottish performance against New Zealand but felt deflated by a 25-17 loss at their home ground.

The hosts trailed 17-0 at the half, only to storm back and draw level on the hour.

However, the All Blacks, who had three players sent to the sin bin, scored late through Damian McKenzie to deny Scotland the chance of a historic win in this match-up.

"I feel let down first of all, because the effort that went into that second half performance was all character," Townsend stated.

"We needed to push forward when it got to seventeen all and there were a few big moments that went New Zealand's way.

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

"There's growth in this team and we have to win those crucial points when the match is there for us.

"Aspects of that performance indicate we are up there with the best teams in the world. We just need to make that next step."

Crucial Events of the Match

• Tries from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn hauled Scotland back into an gripping battle.
• Darcy Graham and Rory Hutchinson had been stopped over the line in the opening period when Cameron Roigard and Will Jordan notched points for the opponents.

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

"I would like to be playing New Zealand again next week. We meet Argentina and we must put in what we have learned.

"It marks the initial occasion this squad has played together since the tournament. To get that unity straight away is challenging and to see it develop during the game is encouraging.

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

"It's the closest we've come to victory, I believe. We dominated the second half, field position, pressure, skill. We've not done that against New Zealand in our history and we are improved for the encounter.

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

Skipper's Response

Scottish captain Sione Tuipulotu labeled the defeat as "mixed feelings" and stressed the importance of a win against Argentina, having opened the fall matches with a historic result against the United States.

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

"There was nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"It is essential we recover for the upcoming match because Argentina aren't going to make it simpler."