Martin Johnson has warned his England players they have to find the killer instinct needed to win tight games like their 15-15 Six Nations draw with Scotland.
England fly-half Toby Flood, who had earlier replaced the injured Jonny Wilkinson, missed two late chances to win the Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield on Saturday, but Johnson conceded his side would not have deserved the victory.
Johnson was frustrated with the way his team failed to take control against mediocre opposition and wants them to show a significant improvement if the game against France next weekend also comes down to the wire.
A fortnight ago England blew a lead against Ireland with five minutes remaining and Johnson warned his men will have to handle the pressure against France.
"Ireland was a game we could have won. It is a sign we haven't got the belief to nail those games," England coach Johnson said.
"I was frustrated with some of the penalties we gave away. We gave the ball back so cheaply in the first half. We did some very good things and did some silly things.
"It added up to us not finishing off. Ultimately it was a tale of missed chances. Floody's kick was a couple of metres short at the end; it is those small margins.
"We just need to take that next step. As a team we have to find a way to win. We are trying to get better and trying to improve.
Next week will be a step up from there.
"We have to stay with France because they try to blow you off the park in the first 20 minutes." It seems certain that Johnson will now make changes for the Paris trip.
Ben Foden replaced the struggling Delon Armitage at full-back and produced another eye-catching performance, while Lewis Moody, Steve Thompson and Courtney Lawes all came on to make an impact up front.
Johnson's hand may also be forced in some positions. Ugo Monye was cleared of any major neck damage after being carried off on a stretcher, but his condition is still being monitored.
Wilkinson insisted he had not suffered concussion after taking a heavy blow to the head but Johnson will again come under pressure to make a change at fly-half.
Meanwhile, England captain Steve Borthwick admitted his team's poor discipline and inability to think on their feet had played a major role in the disappointing result.
Borthwick knows England cannot afford to gift Grand Slam-chasing France the same opportunities in Paris next week.
"We were guilty of not adapting quickly enough or we adapted and then seemed to give away some silly penalties," Borthwick said.
"We gave away too many penalties and they were preventable.
There were mistakes made by us and we have to hold our hands up to that.
"Whether it was interpretation or not is by the by. If you want to win a game, you have to adapt. You have to find out where that line is and play to it.
"A big aspect we need to learn is that we can't relieve the pressure on the opposition by giving penalties away. Some of their points were preventable. We got ourselves into the lead but mistakes cost us.
"We gave away too many penalties and certainly penalties in kickable range in such a tight game.
"A draw leaves you with an empty feeling. It was a challenging game out there. Scotland played very well but I was ultimately frustrated that we didn't come away with a win.
"France are playing well. We must get better again next week. We will be really frank and honest with ourselves and look at the areas we need to do better."
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