Joey O'Brien was the unlikely goalscorer as West Ham United overcame a half-time deficit to draw 1-1 with Stoke City at Upton Park tonight.
An excellently worked corner routine finished by Jonathan Walters had put the Potters on track for a first Premier League away win in 11 months.
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West Ham rarely threatened an equaliser during the remainder of the first half and in fact it was the visitors who came closest to adding to their lead.
Steven N'Zonzi twice tried his luck from long range, shooting wide with his initial attempt before striking the crossbar with his second effort.
In-form West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan did work Asmir Begovic either side of the break, but the Stoke stopper comfortably held his tame 32nd-minute shot.
The Bosnian would have been helpless shortly after the break had Nolan made sufficient contact with George McCarthy's superb cross into the six-yard box.
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Just moments later, an equally inviting delivery from Gary O'Neil was turned in from close range by O'Brien for his first Premier League goal.
Summer signing Mdoibo Maiga then nearly directed Andy Carroll's wild shot on target as the Hammers pushed for a second.
O'Neil came close to putting them in front later in the half when his bending shot went narrowly wide of the far post.
The hosts continued to attack right up to the final whistle, but Winston Reid failed to generate power on his injury-time header as Stoke hung on for a seventh draw of the season.
Joe Fish
