Tomáš Souček’s 50th-minute strike against in-form Manchester United had looked destined to claw Nuno Espírito Santo’s 18th-placed side three precious points closer to safety.
But with just seconds remaining, substitute Benjamin Šeško steered home a last-gasp equaliser for the relieved Red Devils.
“We had competed well, our organisation was good and we’d contained a very good team,” grimaced the Hammers head coach after being denied a richly-deserved win in the sixth-minute of additional time.
“Everyone is very disappointed – the players, the fans, ourselves… But we cannot ignore the quality that Manchester United have shown recently and sometimes, you just have to accept that it is what it is come the end of a game.”
Recalling Freddie Potts in place of substitute Callum Wilson, Nuno had made just one change from the team that had won at Burnley (2-0) three days earlier and, buoyed by their weekend success, industrious West Ham certainly were not intimidated by a United team coming into the contest in fourth-spot on a run of four straight victories.
Crysencio Summerville had gone close in the first-half before Man-of-the-Match Souček broke the deadlock five minutes after the interval, when he combined with Jarrod Bowen to steer home the skipper’s low, right-wing cross towards the near-post.
“We started the second half positively and Tomáš showed his quality to find the space to score,” continued Nuno after the Czech Republic midfielder struck for the fourth time this season. “But tonight wasn’t just about his goal because he did so well defensively, too.”
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is disappointed after his side was denied a win (Image: Steve Blowers)
Visiting interim head coach and ex-Hammers midfielder, Michael Carrick threw caution to the wind with the introductions of Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee but West Ham just could not capitalise on the gaps that started to emerge in the United defence.
And to the frustration of everyone in Claret & Blue desperately baying for the final whistle, Šeško skilfully met Bryan Mbeumo’s dipping right-wing cross with a deft, eight-yard flick that rescued a 1-1 draw for the Red Devils and left the Hammers with the damning disappointment of having surrendered 20 points from winning positions this season.
“Overall, it was a very positive performance and we should have put the game to bed in those final moments when we were getting behind them,” concluded Nuno.
“The atmosphere was amazing all night. The fans were right there helping the boys and we are going to need them right until the end of the season.
“We have bounced back from disappointments like this before and competed in our next game and that shows our standards are high. We just have to keep going.”
The Hammers now travel to Burton Albion for Saturday lunchtime’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at the Pirelli Stadium (kick-off 12:30) before returning to Premier League action against AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on 21 February (kick-off 5.30pm).