Michael Vaughan admitted England's defeat in the opening Test was his "lowest point" as captain after watching his side capitulate to an emphatic 189-run defeat against New Zealand.

Both sides began the day harbouring hopes of victory with New Zealand resuming 269 runs ahead on 147 for eight, but the momentum changed from the moment they set England a victory target of 300 in a minimum of 81 overs.

But after seamer Kyle Mills tore through England's top order by claiming four wickets for two runs in 25 balls, England slumped to 110 all out, despite a 33-run last wicket stand between Ian Bell and Monty Panesar.

It stretches their dismal run in overseas Tests to just one victory in the last 17 and England, who entered the series as overwhelming favourites, facing an uphill battle to claim anything out of the three-match series.

"I guess it's my lowest point as England captain," admitted Vaughan. "It's never nice when your team has performed to a level you don't expect.

"To get to a ground on the last day with a small sniff of victory and to end up losing in such a dramatic fashion is not a great feeling at all.

"We felt if we'd have got to 80 or 100-1, which on that wicket was certainly achievable, we could maybe have had a dip this afternoon at that target, but when you lose four quick wickets it was going to be difficult.

"Kyle Mills bowled well and put it in a decent area but the talent we have in that batting unit, to get bowled out for 110 is not acceptable."

England now move to Wellington, where the second Test begins next Thursday, and Vaughan admits his side must build confidence before then to prevent another defeat and the prospect of losing three successive series.

"There's a little bit of a lack of confidence in that dressing room at the minute and I think the performance showed that," he conceded. "The good thing is we do start again in three days time. We're back on the horse and we can get back out there but we have to make sure we go out and play and express ourselves in a better fashion than we have done in this game.

"Sometimes when you've had defeats like this and you've got two weeks it can really dwell on your mind.

"We'll arrive in Wellington and start the game on Thursday so it can be a good thing, but we have to make it a good thing. We have to try and get and top of New Zealand on Thursday morning and stay on top."

Get a free £25 bet on this weekend's FA Cup and Premier League games with Betfair