Dowie wishes Hammers all the best

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Carlton Cole struck in injury-time to give the Hammers a fortunate 2-1 win, which swept them into the quarter-final.

"I am a West Ham fan, so now I hope they go on and win it," said Dowie, "But for a blink of an eye it might have been us."

Coventry, conquerors of Manchester United in the previous round, had looked set to add another Premier League scalp to their list when Jay Tabb put them in front midway through the second half.

But Luis Boa Morte's deflected strike pulled the visitors level within four minutes before Cole struck to break home hearts.

"There are a few broken hearts in our dressing room, so it is my job to mend them," Dowie admitted.

Coventry's frustration will not be helped by the knowledge that referee Rob Styles missed a blatant handball by Hammers substitute Johnathan Spector at the start of the move which led to Cole's winner.

However, Dowie magnanimously refused to blame the official for his side's exit.

"I do not want to bemoan the referee but it was handball," he said.

"I am sure Rob Styles will ring me to say he has got it wrong when he sees it."