It looked like the match was in the bag but Jos Hooiveld’s late equaliser earned a point for Southampton as the Championship’s top two clubs had to share the points at Upton Park.
Mark Noble stepped up for the irons and put them in front from the penalty spot before the break after being fouled by Southampton’s Billy Sharp.
The Southampton frontman was also involved in an incident that saw Matt Taylor sent off just before West Ham’s goal.
Saint’s striker Sharp was later denied by keeper Rob Green but equalised when Hooiveld tapped in from close range.
The result saw leaders West Ham united maintain their one-point advantage over Southampton, but both clubs missed out on a golden opportunity to inflict a significant blow on their nearest rival in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League – a place where the Hammers are destined to go back to 馃檪
