Stanislas rescues point for Hammers

AVRAM GRANT was this week reportedly set a target of one win from three games to save his job as West Ham boss. That goal must now be achieved from games against Fulham and Everton after the Hammers rescued a point from Ewood Park.

In an ironic twist, Rovers could effectively help their former manager Sam Allardyce – sacked by owners Venky's last week – back in to employment with a win over West Ham, as rumours grew that he was being lined up to replace Grant at the Upton Park helm.

That looked like being the case when Ryan Nelsen scrambled home a scrappy goal just five minutes into the second half.

It is unlikely Grant would have been shown the door if West Ham had lost the game, but Junior Stanislas certainly afforded him more time by coming off the bench to salvage a draw from an uninspiring contest.

The Hammers pressed for the win that would give themselves and their manager vital breathing space, but they had to make do with a point that still leaves them two points adrift of 19th-placed Wolves at the foot of the table.

With just two games to show this evening after a swathe of postponements, Match of the Day will do well to find any highlights from the first half of this match.

Both sides froze when entering enemy territory, perhaps a consequence of the icy conditions engulfing the North West.

Luis Boa Morte came closest to breaking the deadlock as the half neared its conclusion, the midfielder forcing a smart save from Paul Robinson. Two minutes earlier Freddie Piquionne should have done better when he was played in by Boa Morte, but his left-footed shot from a tight angle flew the wrong side of the near post.

There was little to shout about down the other end, too. Ruud Boffin, making his Premier League debut after injuries to Robert Green and number two Marek Stech, was not troubled. He attempted to make one comfortable save from a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick look better than it was, flying to his left to grasp the strike when he could have ambled over to collect it.

Fittingly, when the goal did come, five minutes into the second half, it was as scrappy as the play that preceded it.

Boffin missed a punch from a cross, and when the ball was returned into the area, a goalmouth scramble ensued.

The Belgian keeper did brilliantly to smother Nelsen's first attempt, but the ball fell back into the defender's path and he jutted a knee out, the ball trickling agonisingly over the goalline.

Grant withdrew the ineffectual Pablo Barrera and Jonathan Spector – who had started after Valon Behrami was apparently injured during the warm-up – and replaced them with Carlton Cole and Stanislas in an attempt to galvanise the team.

The latter certainly made an impact, and he almost helped West Ham get back on level terms within minutes of his introduction. His lofted ball into the box was knocked down and met by Matthew Upson, whose instinctive left-footed shot from ten yards kissed the far post.

On 78 minutes, Stanislas was to have a vital say in the match and, quite possibly, his manager's future.

Scott Parker, unusually quiet throughout, embarked on a weaving run into the Rovers' box, only to lose control of the ball. However, Gael Givet could only prod the ball out to Stanislas, who met it first time with a smart finish that found the far corner.

Pedersen almost won it at the death for the hosts with a swinging free-kick that Boffin misjudged, although the ball drifted wide of the post.

West Ham launched several promising counter-attacks of their own, but the final product was not there, substitute Benni McCarthy, coming on against his old club, in particular the cause of many moves breaking down.

In truth, this was a game West Ham could and perhaps should have won, given the paucity of quality shown by their opponents, but they must now hope an improved display and three points are forthcoming from their next game at Fulham on Boxing Day.