But Gordon Strachan applauded his team's "great footballing performance"as Middlesbrough held out for a goalless draw.
Gordon Strachan: "That was the best in terms of team spirit since I came here.
"It was a great footballing performance and after we went down to 10 men we controlled the game and there was great enthusiasm, but we had the old failing again in the 18-yard box.
"We didn't really work their goalkeeper but I thought what we put in in terms of effort and ability was terrific. We're just not getting the rewards at the moment.
"We didn't look as if we were a man short. We just needed a wee bit more thought in the final third and we'd have been fine. Maybe the people up front need to be feeling a bit better about themselves.
"But overall I was pleased. Willo Flood and Gary O'Neil were fantastic in midfield, Chris Killen held it up brilliantly and Adam Johnson showed flashes of brilliance while the centre-backs were comfortable."