Hamilton midfielder Darian MacKinnon insists Accies boss Martin Canning should not get the blame for Saturday's shock William Hill Scottish Cup exit to lowly Annan.
The Ladbrokes League Two part-times claimed their first ever win over top-flight opposition after pulling off the upset of the fourth round with a 4-1 triumph.
But while the Galabankies were left to celebrate claiming a place in Monday's draw for the last 16, Canning faces serious questions over his long-term future at New Douglas Park.
The player/manager has led his side to just one win in their last 13 Premiership fixtures but Saturday's cup exit is a whole new low.
But MacKinnon insists if anyone deserves flak, it is the Accies players.
Asked about the hostile reaction Canning faced from the travelling Hamilton support at full-time, he said: "That's natural, fans are always going to react - especially after a defeat like that.
"We are all behind him, it's not his fault we've given away four goals away. It's the players who are responsible. How can you blame the manager for individual mistakes?"
Accies fell behind after six minutes as Matty Flynn beat Michael McGovern and were undone again just after the break as Josh Todd netted.
Greg Docherty pulled one back for the visitors but Rabin Omar completed a famous win for Jim Chapman's side with two more goals.
"I don't know where to start," said MacKinnon. "It was embarrassing. A rubbish day. I'm lost for words.
"We should have come down here looking to get some confidence back. We should have expected to win.
"We never took our chances and they took theirs. Even saying that, there's no way we should have been getting beaten 4-1. Let's be honest.
"It was four defensive mistakes which cost us again – the same sort of thing that has hurt us in the league.
"I think it's the players who need to take responsibility. I wouldn't say we were good but we weren't that bad either. It's just four individual errors that cost us.
"It's the same every week right now and we need to cut it out or we'll end up in trouble.
"If we can't beat Annan while giving away goals we've got no chance in the Premiership."
The result piles pressure on Canning, the Hamilton manager, who suffered a torrent of abuse from fans at the final whistle.
"That was miles away from what I expect performance wise and results wise – Annan deserved to win," he conceded.
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