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"Victory could have been ours. We know victory was there."

Head coach Gregor Townsend voiced pride in the Scottish display against New Zealand but was deflated by a 25-17 loss at Murrayfield.

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

However, the All Blacks, who had three players placed in the sin bin, scored late through Damian McKenzie to deny Scotland the chance of a first victory in this fixture.

"I feel let down first of all, because the hard work that went into that latter period performance was pure determination," Townsend stated.

"We needed to push forward when it got to 17-17 and there were a couple of key instances that went New Zealand's way.

"Outstanding second period, we demonstrated our true selves today and we likely revealed our identity by failing to secure the win as well.

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

"Elements of that performance show we are up there with the best teams in the world. We just need to make that following advance."

Crucial Events of the Match

• Scores 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 scored for the visitors.

"Teams get fatigued when you knock on the door," said Townsend, who has now been defeated in three 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 need to apply what we have learned.

"It marks the first time this squad has been united since the tournament. To get that cohesion straight away is difficult and to see it grow during the game is encouraging.

"But it's so frustrating with that effort that we didn't get a win.

"It represents the nearest we've been to winning, I believe. We controlled the second half, field position, intensity, skill. We've not achieved that against New Zealand in our past and we are better for the encounter.

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

Captain's Reaction

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

"I told the boys we required a reaction at the break," he said. "We could surrender or choose to fight back.

"There was nothing to lose and all to play for.

"It is essential we bounce back for next week because Argentina aren't going to make it any easier."