Scotland head coach Andy Robinson admitted his side could have no complaints after losing 9-6 to Argentina.
Argentina earn 9-6 victory at Murrayfield
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson admitted his side had deserved to lose to Argentina on Saturday.
Martin Rodriguez landed a drop goal two minutes from time to settle matters 9-6 in favour of the visitors at Murrayfield, a result that ends Robinson's unbeaten record since taking charge of Scotland prior to the autumn internationals.
The Pumas inside centre also kicked two penalties to drag his side back from a 6-0 half-time deficit.
Scotland led at the break thanks to two penalties from Phil Godman but the game turned early in the second half when Rory Lamont was stretchered off, immediately followed by Nathan Hines being sent to the sin bin.
"In the first half I thought we played with good shape, good width, we asked a number of questions of them," Robinson said.
"But, at the key times, ie last pass, our accuracy wasn't there.
Scrap
"You've got to be able to concentrate throughout because they are good at contesting every ball.
"They're scrappers and they scrap very hard for that ball.
"Second half, I thought the defining moment was the Nathan Hines sin bin.
"We kicked the ball away in a three-on-one where Thom Evans was outside and all three players were saying 'kick', as opposed to 'move the ball'. They're the key defining moments in games.
"As soon as it went to 6-3, it became a scrappy affair. Argentina are very good in scrappy affairs and they get out and win the game.
"I was pleased with the ambition we tried to play with but you've got to control the scoreboard.
"And we didn't control the scoreboard and, therefore, we deserve what we get.
"It's a good learning experience for us. As always I'm bitterly disappointed for losing and the players are as well.
"But I thought the commitment that the players put in and the passion that they showed and the effort they showed was what we expected."
Robinson cast doubt on the validity of Hines' sin binning, which came for a dangerous tackle on Gonzalo Tiesi early in the second half.
"That's a hard one," he said. "I thought it was a good tackle; he got across and made the tackle but, because he lifted his arms up, that's why he gave the sin bin."
On Lamont's injury, Robinson added: "He's back in the dressing room, so he's walking."
Reality check
Scotland opened their autumn campaign with victories over Fiji and Australia - but Robinson concedes his side still have plenty of room for improvement.
"We need to keep our feet on the ground," he acknowledged.
"We have the ability to win any game; and, as you've seen today, we have the ability to lose any game.
"That's where we'll always be and it's how we control the scoreboard and how ruthless we can be.
"It's how we now go away and work at improving our game and improving our skills under pressure over the next two months.
"If we don't do that then, yes, we'll lose the momentum.
"But if the players are prepared to go away and really work hard at our skills under pressure and our decision-making under pressure, we can move forward and go with the momentum."
