Highlights - Scotland beat Italy to avoid wooden spoon

Andy Robinson praised his team's determination after Scotland ended a disappointing Six Nations campaign with a 21-8 victory over Italy.

"I thought we got our just rewards from our endeavour to move our game forward," said the head coach.

"I'm not going to hide away from the fact we were disappointed coming to the end of the championship not having won a game, as we did last year.

"It's something we have to look at for the start of the next championship."

Nick De Luca scored Scotland's first try at Murrayfield since November 2009 and Nikki Walker added another in the same corner as the hosts crossed for two touchdowns in quick succession early in the second half.

Scotland had trailed 8-6 at half-time as Andrea Masi scored a try and Mirco Bergamasco a penalty to cancel out two from Chris Paterson.

Scotland's record cap holder Paterson finished with 11 points - three penalties and one conversion - as Scotland ended a run of four straight losses with Robinson's second Six Nations win in 10 attempts, but first his at Murrayfield.

"I believe the players have given everything and it's about the small margins," he added.

"We can't allow ourselves to come into the last game and get a win.

"We need to win earlier in the championship."

Scotland entered the tournament having won five out of six Tests but required victory against the Italians to avoid a first wooden spoon since 2007.

And the Scots were comfortable winners thanks to an improved attacking display after the interval.

"There's a very fine line between winning and losing and it's much more enjoyable when you score more points than the opposition," continued Robinson.

"I thought we started well again and you look at that first 20 minutes, we had two clear-cut opportunities to score tries.

"We might have come away with 14 points, but we came away with six points.

"That was what you've seen from us throughout the season.

"In that second half those opportunities we created resulted in scoring tries.

"I'm delighted with that and I'm delighted with the composure that's been shown by the squad and the attitude that's been there in every training session."

Scotland's lineout failed to function during last weekend's battling loss to England but the home side dominated that area, stealing the first four Italian throw-ins, with Richie Gray particularly impressive.

"I thought Richie Gray on the opposition ball was fantastic," enthused the head coach.

"Al (Kellock, the Scotland captain) said to me he didn't call one lineout for Richie because he was winning too much on the opposition ball.

"But that's down to homework. The guys have put a lot of work in."

Robinson was also pleased with the improvement in the scrum.

"We changed the hit which was important and led to the eight scrummaging together," he added.

"I've been seeing improvements throughout the championship."

Scotland won the second half 15-0, a result Robinson attributed to a strong defence and a more disciplined performance.

"I thought our shape was good in attack and defence," Robinson added.

"It was good in the first half, apart from the try we conceded.

"In that last phase of the first half I felt we gave Italy the field position through the penalties we gave away.

"That put us on the back foot."

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