When Calum MacLeod lashed his second ball from James Anderson through the covers, it was a shot that seemed latent with possibility.

Exactly 13 months previously, MacLeod had marked the first ODI at the Hagley Oval by bludgeoning 175 against Canada. England presented much more onerous opposition, but Scotland needed six less than the 310 they hit against the West Indies two weeks ago, and there were no shortage of Saltires in the crowd to implore them on.

The notion barely had time to take hold before MacLeod fell, attempting to smear an Anderson out-swinger through the off side in the third over of Scotland's chase. Thereafter Scotland never threatened to channel the spirit of Kevin O'Brien in Bangalore in 2011, even if Kyle Coetzer drove sumptuously in a fine innings of 71. A loss of 119 runs fell some way short of a moral victory, let alone an on-field one.

So shambolic had England been against New Zealand in Wellington that, in the build-up to this game, the Scotland captain felt compelled to point out what a fine team England were. It should not be forgotten that the extent of Preston Mommsen's county experience is four innings for Leicestershire.

Much, rightly, has been made of the professionalisation of Scottish cricket. But this process has coincided with the uber-professionalisation of elite international teams like England. So while this Scotland team is far better supported than that which made its World Cup debut 16 years ago, the resource gap with England is almost as large as ever.

Perspective must be applied to Scotland's loss. While the batting line-up in 1999 and 2007 played as if survival was the summit of its ambitions, Scotland batted with palpable intent here, even if their execution was awry.

They will be nagged by the acute sense that they failed to show the best of themselves. While England's opening pair added 172, Scotland might be quietly content with their bowling display, save for an inexcusable 15 wides, including four in Josh Davey's first over. England's 303-8 was the lowest score by any team batting first at Christchurch in the three games at the Hagley Oval in the World Cup.

"We were pretty confident we were in with a shout," Mommsen reflected. And with good reason: the pitch was true and the outfield lush, and England's attack had been shellacked in its first two World Cup games.

Scotland would have been delusional to imagine they could inflict similar destruction on the England attack to that managed by Australia and New Zealand. But to threaten England they did not need a display of comparable belligerence. Hence Mommsen's frustration at the shots played by his top order - MacLeod's swish; Freddie Coleman's lackadaisical drive; injudicious leg-side shots off Moeen Ali from Coetzer and Richie Berrington.

"Some of the dismissals were slightly disappointing. I think we had a bit more time than we thought in that chase," Mommsen reflected. "I can't really say exactly what's gone on there, a couple of guys not just getting in, and unfortunately when guys are getting in, not quite going on to get the big ones."

To see Mommsen after the match was to see a cricketer not content with merely reaching the world stage, but one distraught at an opportunity missed. Even after England's openers amassed runs, Mommsen's captaincy was not that of a man looking to lose respectably.

When Eoin Morgan arrived at the crease, Scotland used just two men outside the fielding circle (instead of the three permitted); Ali Evans justified Mommsen's faith with a wicket maiden.

In bursts in their opening two games, Scotland have shown glimpses of what they are: a significantly improved outfit. Scotland now need to defeat Afghanistan or Bangladesh - and preferably both - to make the cricketing world believe it.

For now, Scotland's wait to make its mark on the world goes on. Unless sterling showings in the team's last four games can help pressurise the ICC, who appear to have settled on a 10-team World Cup, there will not be many more chances for future sides to do so.