Fans call for Curbishley's head as West Ham make hard work of Macclesfield

That was on 73 minutes as Hammers trailed 1-0 to tiny, lowly League Two Macclesfield.

But it was in the very next minute that Lee Bowyer, the midfielder Curbishley had developed as a boy-wonder back at Charlton, came up with a crucial saver - not only of the tie, but perhaps even a managerial career.

Lee Bowyer celebrates his equaliser with striker Carlton Cole

Groggy Hammers still needed Macclesfield's right wing Izak Reid to be sent off in the last minute of the 90, before finally putting the brave Cheshire side to the sword with a flurry of goals in extra time.

But Curbishley must have been rocked to his heels by the terrible chant from a miniscule crowd of only 10,055 - especially after all the criticism that has been heaped around his shoulders over the last few days.

A terrible performance at Manchester City, stories of unrest and low morale within the camp and even the treaded black spot of being made Premier League manager's favourite for the sack, all these factors have hurt the former West Ham player.

When asked about the chanting, usually reserved for an opposing manager, he said: 'That's it at the moment. What can you do about it. Except win games and keep going.'

And when asked if he was feeling the pressure, Curbishley said: 'Obviously I've had this for a little while now. I just get on with it. I'm a big boy now.

'The disappointing thing is that the players are the ones who've got to go out and perform.

'The fans, when they're behind us, are brilliant - they've got to realise the effect it has when they are not behind us.

'But I'm not going to hide away. I'll get on with it.'

Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander, whose team have lost all three League games and without scoring, saw the sending off as the turning point and flayed Sussex referee Clive Penton by saying: 'It was a scandalous, ridiculous decision but then you don't expect much else when you come to a place like this.'

Alan Curbishley was criticised by Hammers fans during the 4-1 win over Macclesfield

The Hammers were hit in the pit of their stomachs in only the fifth minute when Reid swung over a corner and Gareth Evans smashed a header into the roof of the net.

Hammers' central defender Calum Davenport was off the field at the time having treatment after conceding the corner.

Though Dean Ashton clipped the Macc bar on 43 minutes, the Hammers were struggling to get on top and Curbishley threw on ex-Academy kid Kyel Reid, with another youngster Zavon Hines already on after 27 minutes for broken-tooth victim Valon Behrami.

On also came Carlton Cole to add some weight to the attack.

Then came the 'sacked-in-the-morning' chant, before just a minute later Julien Faubert produced a centre from the right and Bowyer buried his header inside the right post.

This was his first game since being sent off in February against Birmingham and how he repaid his one-time mentor Curbishley.

It was Bowyer who drove them on in extra time, even though it was against 10 men, Cole finally putting the Hammers ahead in the 100th minute when he headed in after a Faubert centre had been nodded back by Ashton.

It was all over on 115 minutes when Ashton got the ball into the danger area and Hines stuck a foot out to net.

A minute later and Kyel Reid cut in from the left to fire past a helpless keeper Jon Brian.

In the end it was easy - but so it should have been against 10 men who are fifth bottom of League Two and only now will Curbishley find out whether he has the backing of the West Ham fans who will be giving their former player Paul Ince some terrible stick when he brings Blackburn to the East End on Saturday.