Ashton provides Curbishley cheer

Interval substitute Ashton struck seven minutes into the second half as the Hammers made it four successive wins over Rovers to lift themselves into the top half of the Barclays Premier League.

Mark Hughes' side had the chances to at least clinch a draw, but after a run of seven successive league and cup victories, Rovers have now taken just five points from their last six games.

This was undoubtedly one of those cliched games of two halves as the first was instantly forgettable, followed by a barnstorming second.

The game was played at a typically high Premier League tempo, but the number of mis-placed passes and mistakes ruined the contest in the opening period.

It was soured at the start by Rovers fans proving they are unable to forgive or forget as they booed former star Lucas Neill with his every touch of the ball.

Ashton, making his third sub appearance since recently returning from an ankle injury, was left unmarked in the 52nd minute to tap home his fourth goal of the season.

Nobby Solano fed George McCartney down the left wing and from the dead-ball line the left-back teased a low cross into the area where Ashton was free to score his first goal since September 26.

Mercifully, it led to the game opening up and so proving far more entertaining, with Green then pulling off a double save just five minutes later to preserve his side's advantage.

Green initially tipped away a downward header from Christopher Samba, and from the rebound he used his feet to deny Andre Ooijer at point-blank range. Green made a superb save to deny Tugay in the closing stages.