The future of West Ham manager Glenn Roeder hangs in the balance after his side were dumped out of the Worthington Cup by Second Division Oldham.

Oldham striker Carlo Corazzin exposed the Hammers' defensive frailties as he stole in for the only goal just before half time.

I believe Glenn Roeder will get through this. Oldham manager Iain Dowie

West Ham's defence failed to cut out a corner driven in from the left by David Eyres and goalkeeper David James was left in an impossible position.

It gave Oldham manager Iain Dowie a happy return to West Ham and enabled his side to maintain their unbeaten record away from home this season.

As his side saluted their fans in the far corner of Upton Park, the jeers of the home crowd echoed round the ground at the final whistle.

West Ham, missing the injured Trevor Sinclair, senior strikers Paolo di Canio and Freddie Kanoute and Tomas Repka started both halves brightly but soon faded as they ran out of constructive ideas.

Defoe woe

Their confidence, already undermined by the abysmal run of home results, rapidly disappeared.

West Ham's only on-target effort in the first half came after two minutes when Steve Lomas had a low shot well saved by Oldham goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi.

We are suffering without Kanoute and di Canio West Ham manager Glenn Roeder

Titi Camara, finally given the starting chance he had craved to prove himself, and the lightweight Jermain Defoe were confidently kept in check by the visitors.

West Ham began the second half with a flourish, just as they had the first, but Pogliacomi was equal to their efforts.

He positioned himself perfectly to deflect a well-struck right-foot shot from Defoe round the post and then, following Carrick's corner, dived to his right to save Ian Pearce's header.

Defoe was guilty of twice squandering good opportunities by snatching at his shot and then the England Under-21 striker had a shot blocked when he could have laid the ball off to Camara, who was better positioned.

To add to Defoe's woes he was booked for diving in the second half as he went down spectacularly on the edge of the penalty area.

West Ham: James, Dailly, Breen, Pearce, Minto, Cole, Lomas, Carrick, Cisse, Camara, Defoe. Subs: Van Der Gouw, Garcia, Schemmel, Winterburn, Sofiane.

Oldham: Pogliacomi, Hall, Hill, Armstrong, Beharall, Murray, Eyre, Low, Corazzin, Andrews, Eyres. Subs: Miskelly, Holden, Da Silva, Killen, Vernon.

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).