EPL: Blackburn hold West Ham to 1-1 draw

London: A dramatic late equaliser from substitute Junior Stanislas earned West Ham United a valuable point against Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn hosted West Ham at a snowy Ewood Park, in what was one of only two surviving Premier League games of the weekend.

More heavy snowfall saw a host of postponements as Steve King took charge of Blackburn for the first time since the sacking of Sam Allardyce.

The caretaker manager needed a good result after stating that he was hoping to continue the role on a permanent basis.

Meanwhile Avram Grant's West Ham side were desperate for a victory as they looked to lift themselves off the foot of the Premier League table.

However the Hammers task would always be difficult against a Blackburn side who have only suffered two home defeats this season-against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Blackburn had the first opportunity of the game when Mame Biram Diouf was tripped on the edge of the penalty area in the second minute.

Morten Gamst Pedersen's powerful free kick looked goal bound before Matthew Upson blocked the shot, which went behind for a corner.

Jason Roberts was then forced into an early exit with and was replaced by Benjani in the 10th minute after he picked up an injury.

The home side made a strong start and tried to take advantage of West Ham's deep defensive line. Rovers pumped several testing crosses into the visitors penalty area but they were comfortably dealt with by an organised West Ham defence.

Blackburn had a penalty claim turned down when Gael Givet's cross deflected off Scot Parker.

El-Hadji Diouf insisted that the ball had made contact with the midfielders hand but the referee disagreed and allowed play to go on.

Rovers went close shortly after the half an hour mark after winning another free kick at the edge of the penalty area but Pedersen's dipping effort was well saved by Ruud Boffin.

The home team continued to mount pressure on West Ham's defence but they were unable to create any serious threat and the away side were comfortably absorbing the Blackburn pressure.

West Ham threatened to take the lead shortly before half time when Luis Boa Morte played a great ball down the left wing to Frederic Piquionne, but the striker’s shot hit the side netting.

Minutes later it was Piquionne who provided the pass for Boa Morte, but his shot was instinctively saved by the legs of Paul Robinson.

Blackburn made a perfect start to the second half and opened the scoring just five minutes after the restart.

The goal followed a sequence of poor defending from West Ham when Mame Biram Diouf won a corner which the away side failed to clear properly.

Pederen regained possession and crossed to Nelson who’s first attempt was well saved by Boffin before he finally tapped the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.

Just as Blackburn started believing they had won the game, West Ham were handed a dramatic equaliser following a piece of individual brilliance from Parker.

With 15 minutes left the midfielder made a driving run into the Blackburn penalty area, his powerful shot was deflected to Junior Stanislas who fired it in from a tight angle to level the game for West Ham.

Blackburn tried to riposte but the home side couldn’t convert their possession into chances and time was against them.

Rovers were awarded another dangerous free kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the edge of the penalty area. Pedersen had the opportunity to win the game for Rovers but his free kick went wide.