Late Cole strike puts Hammers through

Conquerors of Manchester United in the previous round, the Sky Blues thought they were about to add another Barclays Premier League scalp to their list when Jay Tabb nodded them into a second-half lead.

But, after Luis Boa Morte's deflected effort had pulled West Ham level, the visitors continued to push forward and with referee Rob Styles about to confirm extra-time, Cole held off Arjen de Zeeuw on the edge of the Coventry box, then kept his nerve to stroke home the winner.

It was the England Under-21 forward's second goal of the campaign and, after saving their top flight skins so unexpectedly last term, kept the Hammers on course for a second cup final appearance in three years.

Disjointed for long periods and lacking in firepower, the visitors rarely made their Premier League class tell. In fact, their only notable attacking move saw Boa Morte charge onto Lee Bowyer's pass, only to fall under the physical presence of Ben Turner.

With Jonathan Spector introduced for Hayden Mullins, the visitors improved after the break.

Unfortunately for Alan Curbishley and his men, their intent had turned into nothing tangible before their defensive frailties were exposed by Tabb.

Curbishley had every right to be disappointed, not just with his side's failure to clear with an initial set piece but the shambolic nature of an offside ploy which allowed Tabb a free run at Osbourne's far-post cross.

Had Coventry been able to hold their advantage for any length of time, the Hammers might well have panicked. Instead, the visitors benefited from a large slice of good fortune as both Marcus Hall and Turner stuck out a boot to block Boa Morte's 15-yard half-volley and succeeded only in deflecting it past an unsuspecting Andy Marshall.

The Hammers chances of forcing a victory without the need for extra-time looked to have been ended by the loss of Anton Ferdinand with what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury. But Coventry reckoned without Cole, who had the Hammers fans blowing their familiar bubbles by keeping them on track for Wembley.