Jermain Defoe's late equaliser gave West Ham United a deserved draw against Manchester United at Upton Park and relieved the pressure on boss Glenn Roeder.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked to be heading for a fortuitous victory courtesy of Ruud van Nistelrooy's first half goal.

But just as West Ham - without a home win this season - looked to be heading for another defeat, the dangerous Defoe did the trick for Roeder's team with four minutes left.

Manchester United then brought two brilliant saves from West Ham goalkeeper David James in injury time, but a draw was the least the Hammers deserved.

England captain David Beckham was missing for Manchester United as he started a lengthy absence with a rib injury.

But there was a return for Wes Brown following a spell out with an ankle injury to compensate for the absence of injured Rio Ferdinand.

Defoe thought he had given West Ham the lead after 19 minutes as Roeder's side were desperately unlucky not to take the lead.

Trevor Sinclair crossed from the right and Joe Cole's powerful free header hit the post and fell for Defoe to divert home from close range.

But the celebrations were cut short by a linesman's offside flag.

And for all West Ham's endeavours, it was the visitors who went ahead eight minutes before the interval.

Quinton Fortune slid a neat pass to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and his pass was neatly flicked in at the near post by Van Nistelrooy.