Hammers snatch draw

Ricardo Vaz Te’s 89th-minute penalty salvaged a point for West Ham but it is now seven home games without a win after drawing 3-3 with Chris Hughton’s Birmingham last night.

The Hammers were shellshocked at the break as they trailed 3-1.

Jordon Mutch struck first with an impressive solo goal before Marlon King doubled the Blues’ advantage.

Vaz Te’s header gave West Ham a lifeline but Chris Burke restored Birmingham’s two-goal lead.

Carlton Cole netted to give the Hammers hope and Vaz Te levelled late on, from the spot, after Burke was harshly penalised for handball.

However West Ham are three points off an automatic promotion spot and Reading, who currently occupy second, have a game in hand and can go six points clear of the Hammers should they beat Brighton tonight.

Earlier a brace from Rickie Lambert was enough for Nigel Adkins’s Southampton to win 2-0 at Crystal Palace and go three points clear.

“He’s a talented, talented football player,” said Adkins. “He’s going from strength to strength and he’s reaping rewards for his hard work this season.”

Elsewhere 10-man Blackpool kept their play-off hopes alive after coming from behind at home to Barnsley to snatch a 1-1 draw.

Leeds dropped into the bottom half of the table after losing 2-0 at home to Derby after Michael Brown was sent off early on. Craig Bryson and Steve Davies scored in each half to earn Nigel Clough’s side the win.