Chris Paterson has been playing for Scotland for far too long to get carried away with their incredible 9-8 victory over Australia, but he believes he could finally be part of a squad capable of challenging the world's best on a regular basis.

Paterson once again emerged as Scotland's matchwinner on Saturday night when his late drop goal put them 9-3 ahead before Matt Giteau missed a conversion with the last kick of the game in one of the most dramatic Tests Murrayfield has ever seen.

Paterson, who came off the bench to earn his 97th cap, has two Calcutta Cup triumphs under his belt as well as a famous win over South Africa, but - asked whether the result against Australia topped the lot - the 31-year-old said: "I don't know, to be honest. I think maybe what's holding me back saying yes is the fact we won, ultimately, from a missed kick at the end."

He added: "I know you take the 80 minutes into the equation but it could have been so different, couldn't it?

"One strike of the ball. That almost puts a wee bit of reality on it.

"But the determination and the guts to get into that position and the defence that we've shown was massively pleasing."

Acknowledging the result as "historic", Paterson believes the fact it was achieved with what was a poor attacking display augurs well for the future.

"Our performance can be far better, can't it?" he said, insisting Andy Robinson would not tolerate the match becoming the latest in succession of one-off wins in the build-up to Saturday's final autumn international against Argentina.

"The players will keep their feet on the ground but Robbo will certainly do that as well. And we'll probably work harder next week than we have done the previous two.

"Come Monday, Tuesday, it'll probably be more intense and harder than it has been. But it's working, isn't it?"