Ashton denies stuttering Toffees

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But it could have been even worse for the Toffees. In the dying minutes, 18-year-old Freddie Sears saw his stabbed shot hit a post and bounce along the line.

Everton had started with power and pace, Ayegbeni Yakubu scoring his 19th goal of the season early on. West Ham were poor at that stage and it seemed the home side would cruise it.

But the Hammers, who had hit the bar through debutant James Tomkins, were the better side after the break.

Everton now find themselves two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who can have no greater spur to win at Manchester United on Sunday than this misfortune to their neighbours.

The Hammers gave centre-back Tomkins his first start and it was something of a baptism of fire against the power of Yakubu - even if the England Under-19s international could have scored inside five minutes.

He met Mark Noble's corner 12 yards out and his looping header clattered against the bar.

But three minutes later, after Anton Ferdinand had lost out in the air to Victor Anichebe, Tomkins was equally at fault when he was out-muscled by Yakubu midway inside West Ham's half. The big Nigerian surged away and scored past Robert Green.

West Ham levelled in the 68th minute. Lucas Neill fired over a cross from the right and Ashton rose above Phil Jagielka to send his header in off a post.

Sears then missed the chance to be the Hammers' match-winner for a second successive game.