West Ham came from behind twice to grab a vital point at Blackburn.

Jermain Defoe, on as a second-half substitute, nipped in front of Andy Todd to score a vital last-gasp equaliser to make sure that justice was served at Ewood Park.

It was a brave performance especially with losing the first goal in the manner that we did Hammers' boss Glenn Roeder

Hardly looking like a relegation-threatened team, the Premiership's bottom side overcame a terrible start which saw David James gift Rovers the lead, to dominate the second half.

For Blackburn, it was a disappointing way to finish a week which saw them beat Manchester United and hold Liverpool.

The bright note was Andy Cole's 150th Premiership goal, which seemed to have secured the three points.

That was after they had been handed an opener thanks to a slip by West Ham keeper James.

Damien Duff dribbled his way through to the edge of the penalty area before hitting a shot of little power.

The former Liverpool and Aston Villa goalkeeper added another blunder to his sizeable collection when he allowed the ball to squirm under his body and into the West Ham net.

If the travelling Hammers fans were expecting the worst, their fears were nearly confirmed when Duff's tantalising cross just evaded the touch of Andy Cole in front of goal.

Match facts

4 mins: Duff scores 1-0 24 mins: Taylor's own goal 1-1 78 mins: Cole scores 2-1 86 mins: Defoe equalises 2-2

Cheer for the East London side arrived in a 24th minute equaliser, when a well-worked move ended with Steve Lomas' shot swerving over Brad Friedel, via a deflection from Martin Taylor.

James, whose confidence must have been dented by Duff's opener, pulled off classy saves to deny Andy Cole twice, once from a close-range header and the other from a fiercely-struck low drive.

Roeder's men never gave up

Taking advantage of a second-half Rovers' change - striker Dwight Yorke replacing defender John Curtis - the Hammers forced Blackburn back and Ian Pearce should have given his side the lead from 12 yards out.

But the makeshift striker missed the target.

That was followed by an Edouard Cisse 25-yard curler which flew a yard over the bar, while Trevor Sinclair was foiled by Friedel and Pearce put another chance wide.

It was a poor day for us and a poor game of football. We were gifted a goal near the start and should have gone on from there Blackburn manager Graeme Souness

The visitors were punished for their wastefulness in front of goal by Cole, who latched onto an inaccurate James throw to slot home.

But just as everything looked lost for West Ham, an innocuous-looking corner four minutes from time led to substitute Andy Todd allowing Defoe to steal a point.

Blackburn: Friedel, Curtis (Yorke 45), Taylor, Short (Todd 62), Johansson, Thompson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff (Gillespie 63), Ostenstad, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Danns, Kelly.

Booked: Thompson, Cole, Todd.

West Ham: James, Schemmel, Breen, Dailly, Winterburn (Minto 83), Lomas (Defoe 72), Carrick, Cisse (Moncur 77), Sinclair, Cole, Pearce.
Subs Not Used: Repka, Bywater.

Booked: Dailly, Cole.

Attendance: 24,998

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).