Source: PA
Parker late show spares Hammers blushes
Scott Parker came up with a winner deep into stoppage time to spare West Ham Carling Cup humiliation and earn a 1-0 win over League Two Oxford at Upton Park.
Parker smashed home Frederic Piquionne's cross but the timing was harsh on the visitors who had been stubborn and organised throughout and at least deserved a crack at the Hammers in extra time.
Piquionne might have put the hosts in front in the first minute but his rasping 20-yard shot was neatly turned around the post for a corner by keeper Ryan Clarke.
The former Pompey man then missed from six yards and under no pressure with just the goalkeeper to beat as Avram Grant's men struggled to break the deadlock.
Alfie Potter fired in a 25-yard shot which stung the hands of Marek Stech, while James Constable and Asa Hall also tested the keeper, but Chris Wilder's team were unable to punish the Hammers' profligacy.
And Parker popped up late on to spare his side's blushes, combining with Piquionne to finish from close-range in stoppage time.
