Last-gasp Cole strike saves Hammers

CARLTON COLE hailed West Ham’s resilience after his last-gasp goal secured a 2-1 Carling Cup win over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Jay Tabb had put the Sky Blues ahead after 68 minutes but an own goal from Marcus Hall three minutes later and a strike two minutes into stoppage-time from Cole booked the Hammers’ place in the quarter-finals.

A delighted Cole said: “The boys worked so hard and dug in right to the end.

“I don’t care if we didn’t deserve it. As long as we are through to the quarter-finals that’s all that counts.”

On the goal Cole added: “I didn’t think about it, I just tried to do what was natural.”

Having named what was, in the absence of injured trio Dean Ashton, Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy, his strongest line-up, Hammers boss Alan Curbishley had every right to be disappointed with his side’s first-half efforts.

Disjointed for long periods and lacking in firepower, the visitors rarely made their Premier League class tell.

In fact, their only notable attacking move saw Boa Morte charge onto Lee Bowyer’s pass, only to fall under the physical presence of Ben Turner.

At first glance it looked a clear foul and an automatic sending off. Styles felt otherwise and to the consternation of Hammers skipper Lucas Neill, who was booked for his protests, amazingly ruled Turner was the one being fouled.

With Jonathan Spector introduced for Hayden Mullins, the visitors improved after the break.

Unfortunately for Curbishley and his men, their intent had turned into nothing tangible before their defensive frailties were exposed by Tabb’s goal.

Curbishley had every right to be disappointed, not just with his side’s failure to clear with an initial set piece but the shambolic nature of an offside ploy which allowed Tabb a free run at Osbourne’s far-post cross to give Coventry the lead.

But the visitors benefited from a large slice of good fortune as both Marcus Hall and Turner stuck out a boot to block Boa Morte’s 15-yard half-volley and succeeded only in deflecting it past an unsuspecting Andy Marshall.

And Cole had the Hammers fans blowing their familiar bubbles by keeping them on track for Wembley.

COVENTRY: Marshall, McNamee, De Zeeuw, Turner, Hall, Tabb, Doyle, Osbourne, Gray (45 Simpson), Mifsud, Best (70 Kyle).

Subs: Ward, Kyle, Cairo, Simpson, Thornton.

WEST HAM: Wright, Neill, Ferdinand (85 Gabbidon), Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Noble (61 Pantsil), Mullins (45 Spector), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole.

Subs: Green, Gabbidon, Pantsil, Spector, Reid.

Referee: Rob Styles.

Result: Eircom League Division 0ne; Athlone Town 3 Limerick 37 2

Coca-Cola Football League One: Nottm Forest 0 Oldham 0