Argentina 21 Scotland 15:SCOTLAND BOSS Frank Hadden rued his team's failure to take their chances in the first Test against Argentina in Rosario on Saturday. Fullback Chris Paterson - who became his country's leading all-time points scorer - missed a penalty late in the first half which allowed the Pumas to lead 12-10 at the break.

Hadden saw that and other opportunities go begging. "We are very frustrated, because we got ourselves in a very strong position and we couldn't close the game," he said. "We needed just a bit of luck - but unfortunately we didn't get it."

Hadden reported too that the dimensions of a tight venue did Scotland no favours. "The very narrow pitch made it very difficult to play expansive rugby," he explained. "It was a very tough match. The tries were a bit soft. It was one of those Test matches that could go either way, and the Argentinians came out on top in the end."

It might have been very different, however. "We didn't get all that close to the Argentinian try line," Hadden admitted. "But you don't kick five goals without having good territory and good possession and creating some good forwards moves."

Hadden is optimistic about the second Test in Buenos Aires next weekend. "The Argentinians did extremely well and made it very difficult for us - because they slowed our ball down so successfully," the coach added.

"We are determined that - having proved we can win a match in Argentina - our preparation next week will be to ensure that we actually do it."

Scotland captain Mike Blair is hoping for better to come in Buenos Aires. "It is definitely a very frustrated dressingroom - because we were so close to winning," he said. "The contact area is something that we will have to focus on next week.

"They prevented us from building a momentum. I think it was just one of those games where the Argentinians were really good at the breakdown."

Paterson, who scored all Scotland's points, went four clear of Gavin Hastings as his country's all-time record holder. Having also equalled Scott Murray's record of 87 caps, he said: "It was a goal of mine breaking these records for Scotland. But it doesn't make the defeat any easier to take - and I found it almost embarrassing under these circumstances."

ARGENTINA: Stortoni; Nunez Piossek, Tiesi, Contepomi, De Vedia; Todeschini, Vergallo; Ayerza, Tejeda, Bonorino, C Fernandez Lobbe, Lozada, Durand, J Fernandez Lobbe, Leguizamon. Not used: Gambarini, Gomez, Stuart, Campos, Lalanne, Fernandez, Senillosa.

SCOTLAND: Paterson; Danielli, Cairns, Morrison, Evans; Parks, Blair; Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Mustchin, MacLeod, Strokosch, Beattie, Hogg. Not used: Hall, Dickinson, Kellock, Brown, Lawson, Godman, Webster.

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).