Head coach Andy Robinson has called on his Scotland side to retain their belief as they look to put their Six Nations campaign back on track.

Robinson: Players must retain belief

Having been punished for a lack of composure at key moments in their opening reverse against England, Scotland were again their own worst enemies as a calamitous start to the second half in Cardiff proved crucial in their 27-13 loss to Wales.

The scores were tied at 3-3 at the break but Chris Cusiter's failure to gather Rhys Priestland's second-half kick-off set the tone for a period of play in which Scotland shipped three tries in just 13 minutes.

Cusiter's initial error gifted Wales the field position from which to spring wing Alex Cuthbert through Greig Laidlaw's weak tackle for the opening score.

And there was worse to come for Robinson's side as Nick De Luca and Rory Lamont were both sin-binned, and Wales struck as Leigh Halfpenny, who claimed an individual haul of 22 points, landed his second penalty and crossed for two converted tries to open up a 27-6 lead and effectively end the game as a contest.

Laidlaw managed to sneak his way over for a consolation score, and ensure Scotland did not extend their tryless drought to five games, but the defeat was a fourth in a row for the Scots, who welcome France to Murrayfield in a fortnight.

However, Robinson feels the belief is still there among his squad, although he rued their poor start to the second half and their failure to finish off a 21-phase attack at the end of the opening half when prop Allan Jacobsen knocked on.

He said: "For me it's about the team being able to keep its belief in what it's trying to do. I think that throughout there is still belief there. It was shown in that 20 minutes when we went down to 27-6 but you've got to take your chances.

"Just before half-time, there was a clear-cut opportunity for us and we just knocked it on getting close to the line and that's what games can change on.

"We must not get away from the fact the effort that's been shown there was very, very good. It's important we build on that and perform that way every time."

And Robinson, whose Six Nations record while in charge of Scotland shows just two wins from 12 games, also refused to criticise De Luca and Lamont for the needless yellow cards they received for tackling players off the ball.

He said: "The guys did not deliberately get sin-binned, but that's what happens in the game. Wales exploited the space really well and kept hold of the ball."

Robinson also confirmed that defence coach Graham Steadman is set to leave the Scotland set-up at the end of the season after four years.

Ospreys coaching director Scott Johnson will take up the role of senior assistant prior to the summer tour to Australia, Fiji and Samoa.

Robinson said: ""Graham is seeing out his contract. He hasn't been (offered a new one). I don't think it's right for me to go on about it here."