"The win was there. We are aware victory was within reach."
Head coach Gregor Townsend voiced satisfaction in Scotland's performance against New Zealand but felt disappointed by a 25-17 defeat at Murrayfield.
Scotland were behind seventeen to nil at the interval, only to storm back and draw level on the hour.
Nonetheless, the All Blacks, who had three players sent to the sin bin, struck late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the chance of a historic win in this fixture.
"I'm really disappointed primarily, because the effort that went into that latter period performance was pure determination," Townsend remarked.
"We needed to kick on when it got to 17-17 and there were a couple of big moments that went New Zealand's way.
"Exceptional second half, 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 have to win those big moments when the game is there for us.
"Elements of that performance show we are up there with the top sides in the world. We just need to make that following advance."
"Opponents get tired when you knock on the door," said Townsend, who has now lost three home Tests against the All Blacks as head coach - all by narrow margins.
"I'd love to be playing New Zealand again next week. We meet Argentina and we need to put in what we have learned.
"It marks the initial occasion this squad has been united since the Six Nations. To get that cohesion immediately is difficult and to see it develop during the game is encouraging.
"But it's so disheartening with that performance that we didn't get a win.
"It's the closest we've been to victory, I believe. We controlled the later stages, territory, intensity, skill. We've not achieved that against New Zealand in our history and we are better for the encounter.
"The team's path continues today. We have a very big game next week and bigger games to come in the championship."
Scotland leader 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 needed a reaction at the break," he said. "We could we lie down or choose to fight back.
"There was no downside and all to play for.
"We have to recover for the upcoming match because Argentina will not make it simpler."
Elara is a financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and entrepreneurship.
