WEST HAM lead Birmingham City at half-time through Mark Noble's superb volley, giving them the edge after the first quarter of this Carling Cup semi-final.

Noble finished a move he began from the centre circle on 12 minutes, crashing a thunderous shot inside the near post that stung the fingers of Ben Foster en route to the back of the net.

He had earlier created the opportunity by bursting forward from midfield, only for Victor Obinna's header from his cross to be cleared by Scott Dann on the line. Noble seized the chance when Jonathan Spector fired hopefully across the face of goal, connecting sweetly with his first-time effort.

The goal was just what West Ham's first half exploits deserved, as they bossed the encounter and worked several promising openings.

Matthew Upson, in an unfamiliar role at left back, forced Foster into a smart save early on, and ten minutes after Noble's goal Spector saw a rasping 20-yard drive well saved by the keeper.

Obinna then forced the best out of the former Manchester United stopper when he tried his luck from the edge of the box after a fast break from Freddie Sears saw the ball end up at the winger's feet.

The Hammers youngster then saw an effort of his own narrowly miss the target as the half drew to a close.