Jake Doyle-Hayes won't be getting the blame for Hibs losing to St Mirren after his error lead to the winning goal.
The Irish midfielder was robbed by Irish compatriot Conor Ronan, who went on to smash the ball beyond Kevin Dabrowski, meaning the Easter Road side haven't won in their last five league games under Shaun Maloney.
Maloney admits his players are being punished for every mistake as he struggles to find the form that was evident during his first two matches in charge.
But he has promised to keep backing Doyle-Hayes and insists he will be straight back into the Hibs starting XI on Wednesday night when they travel to Ibrox to face Rangers.
Doyle-Hayes mistake was in front of international boss Stephen Kenny but he'll get another chance to impress the former Dunfermline boss on Wednesday night.
Maloney said: "You know, players make mistakes. It’s what happens. I talk about us being clinical, when you're not, that’s what happens.
"At the moment those mistakes are costing us; that is what happens when other teams are clinical.
"But I will support Jake and he will play again on Wednesday. There’s no doubt about that.”
Maloney kept Kevin Dabrowski between the sticks after his impressive performance against Hearts in midweek with Matt Macey on the bench.
He did nothing wrong against St Mirren but Maloney says he'll leave it to the last minute before deciding who gets the gloves on Wednesday.
He added: “That’s always a decision on team selection that I will leave to the last moment. Kevin did fine against St Mirren. His performance was absolutely fine.”
