I'm simply not sure of what to make of this anymore. West Ham deserved to win this game and should have won it; being denied a blatant late penalty. On the other hand, I probably would have settled for a point before the game and Birmingham came within a post of taking all three points themselves.

Similarly, the Hammers performance was more than encouraging, the Irons looking much more incisive and nothing like a bottom of the table side. Then again, once again we've failed to win and are still rooted to the bottom. I'm starting to get a headache...

After the amusing sight of the pitch sprinklers coming on early in the game, spraying players and officials alike, West Ham started to dictate the running against a side with a notoriously good home record. Cole was impressive playing in a lone role up front and his presence allowed Obinna and Piquionne plenty of space to exploit some excellent approach play.

The Hammers looked as if they had gone ahead in the 17th minute but Foster saved superbly from Cole although, even then, the ball looked as if it would creep in as it struck a post. Instead it bounced out in one of those moments that you're sure will result in a goal if you just watch it enough. It didn't stop the visitors though as West Ham needed only three minutes of the second half to break the deadlock with Piquionne's fourth goal of the season, the former Portsmouth man striking home superbly after a fine ball from Boa Morte.

Cole came close to making it 2-0 with a header from a corner but West Ham weren't too be denied for long when a Cole run allowed Behrami to score after 57 minutes. The game looked all over at this stage but the Blues made two substitutions that changed the contest although, had the wood work not intervened when Obinna struck with some venom, even that would not have been enough.

Encouraged by their let off though and throwing everything forward, Birmingham pulled a goal back through Jerome and then equalised after 73 minutes when Ridgewell was first to a ball that Green shoved out following a needless free-kick conceded by Scott Parker. Once again, it looked as if the keeper might have done better although he was helpless when a late Zigic shot came off the bar after striking Gabbidon's thigh.

In the closing stages though it was West Ham once again who were cursing their luck when a good run into the area by Joacobsen was halted when his shirt was blatantly pulled right in front of the linesman and referee. As against Wolves the other week, it's again difficult to understand why the referee made the decision he did, but it seems to be in keeping with things going against the bottom clubs.

West Ham's poor away record continues then and failure to win in a game that the visiting side dominated for long periods is both frustrating and still worrying. On the other hand this was a really encouraging performance... I think. Things have to change soon though and an away win would be really welcome sometime as well.