Carroll earns Magpies point

The 20-year-old striker's first league goal meant Joe Kinnear's men, who produced a hit-and-miss performance, should just about keep the crisis talk at bay.

Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole had put West Ham 2-1 ahead, following Michael Owen's early strike for the hosts, but Carroll saved the day for the Magpies by leaping highest to convert a deep left-wing cross from Damien Duff in the 78th minute.

Carroll had seen two early efforts blocked, and Owen had also hit the post before his goal arrived.

When Owen got his opener it was well deserved, the striker being fed on the left by Jose Enrique and advancing to the edge of the box before hitting a low right-footed shot past Robert Green.

Hammers striker Bellamy, formerly of Newcastle, came back to haunt his former club in the 29th minute when he collected a clever Scott Parker pass in the box before neatly lifting his shot over Shay Given into the net.

The visitors should have gone in ahead at the break when Lucas Neill sent Mark Noble clean through in the 42nd minute but his shot was parried by Given and Bellamy's follow-up from a tight angle found the side-netting.

West Ham were then denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty moments after the restart when Sebastien Bassong used his arm to prevent Bellamy reaching a loose ball.

But Cole lashed the Hammers into a deserved lead in the 55th minute when he controlled a long ball from Herita Ilunga and powered a superb left-footed shot into the top left corner.

The home side clinched their equaliser when Duff crossed and Carroll steered the ball past a helpless Green.