ON THE LEVEL ... James Tomkins sidefoots the ball home to earn West Ham their latest one point
Burnley 2 West Ham 2
SAM ALLARDYCE did not mince his words after seeing another two precious promotion points blown.
The fact West Ham recovered from a two-goal deficit failed to give their manager any comfort at all.
Allardyce admitted: "I am flabbergasted, stunned and shocked that we did not win this game.
"We dominated from the start, yet went two goals down and this result makes life very difficult and tense for us.
"Next it's Peterborough on Tuesday. At least if we win that one and beat Reading next Saturday, we could be second in the table again."
What concerns Allardyce is this was West Ham's fifth consecutive draw — not good enough when Southampton and Reading are setting the pace at the top.
The fact Burnley keeper Lee Grant was their best player says it all.
Visiting keeper Robert Green hardly had a shot to save, despite conceding two goals in the first half.
The first came after 25 minutes, when a smart back-heel from Martin Paterson let in the impressive Marvin Bartley to open the scoring.
Eleven minutes later, it was 2-0. A left-wing cross by Ben Mee was turned in by Paterson, who operated as a one-man forward-line in the Clarets' 4-5-1 formation.
In fairness to the Irish international, he was full of energy and went close to increasing Burnley's lead early in the second half.
Yet West Ham had so many chances to have won the game and Carlton Cole could have had a hat-trick by half-time.
The fact he did not meant that he was substituted at the break.
Skipper Kevin Nolan thought he had scored for the Londoners a minute after the home side's opening goal.
But his header, which beat Grant, was ruled out by referee Mark Haywood for an alleged foul in the build-up.
Jack Collison was denied by a superb Grant save just before the break and the keeper was Burnley's hero again early in the second half when he kept out George McCartney.
The Hammers, though, finally gained some reward for their domination with a goal after 68 minutes.
Skipper Nolan used his physical strength to shake off Michael Duff before putting the ball in the net.
And two minutes later, they were level. A free-kick from the impressive Mark Noble somehow found its way to James Tomkins, who scored from just inside the area.
It was all West Ham after that and only poor finishing by subs Sam Baldock and John Carew denied them the three points they so desperately needed.
Burnley boss Eddie Howe said: "The third goal was crucial. Before West Ham scored, it looked as though we would get it.
"But it was game on at 2-1 and we were thankful to Lee Grant after that for some crucial saves.
"West Ham are a big, powerful side.
"At the start of this season, I thought we had the capability of reaching the play-offs.
"But we have gone and surrendered too many leads against lesser teams during the campaign.
"Even so, I remain enthusiastic about the future for the club.
"I thought the lads were excellent at times here."
the star
BURNLEY 2 - WEST HAM 2: EXTRA ROLL OF THE DYCE
SAM ALLARDYCE saw his hopes of an instant Premier League return reignited with a fantastic fightback to turn the boos to cheers.
The ex-Blackburn and Bolton boss had suffered moans and groans from unhappy Hammers fans following an indifferent sequence of results.
West Ham looked on their way to a bad defeat in what Big Sam had called a “big week”.
Goals from Marvin Bartley and Martin Paterson saw lucky Burnley take a 2-0 lead in a half West Ham dominated.
But two strikes in three second-half minutes dramatically turned this thrilling contest on its head, with Kevin Nolan scoring on 68 minutes and James Tomkins netting two minutes later.
Allardyce was shocked how his side failed to claim all three points. He said: “I’m flabbergasted how we did not win that. We dominated the game from the very start and kept slipping up.
“This could be the turning point in our season, getting automatic promotion.”
The comeback was deserved after luck deserted the visitors in the first half.
Just after Bartley’s opener, Nolan appeared to have scored a perfectly good goal only to see it chalked off with celebrations already in full flow.
The former Newcastle man was celebrating with fans and team-mates alike when referee Mark Haywood suddenly awarded a free-kick from nowhere.
Allardyce had earlier been left to fear the worst when Bartley ran on to a Paterson flick before beating two men and burying past keeper Robert Green right on the 25 -minute mark.
And West Ham could be excused for thinking it might not be their day when almost immediately Cole headed against the post with Nolan charging in.
Battling Burnley, without a win in six previous games, were high and mighty though when Paterson deflected in Ben Mee’s 36th-minute right-footed cross.
With the Turf Moor crowd right behind them Ross Wallace’s curler then hit the post before the break.
The home fans gleefully taunted Hammers’ fans with chants of “you’re not going up”.
But Allardyce threw on Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at the break in a bid to change fortunes in front of goal.
And it worked with pocket-size Baldock playing in Nolan, who bravely beat Grant to finish well.
The game had been turned on its head and West Ham were soon celebrating again when Tomkins hammered home after Maynard had headed on Mark Noble’s free-kick.
The Hammers had chances to win it, too, with Baldock blazing over and sub John Carew shooting straight at Green.
Grant then saved again from Baldock and also kept out a Carew header as West Ham threw all they had at the Burnley defence.
But the Hammers could not find a winner and are now four points away from second-placed Reading after looking certainties to win an immediate promotion back to the Premier League at one stage.
Burnley boss Eddie Howe blaimed defensive errors for the Hammers’ comeback.
He said: “I’m very disappointed as we were excellent and brave.
“It would have been a tragedy if we had lost this.
the mail
Dejected: West Ham slipped up again as they drew at Burnley
All square: James Tomkins earns West Ham a share of the spoils
Burnley 2 West Ham 2: Hammers lose ground in title race despite spirited comeback
Sam Allardyce said he was ‘flabbergasted, stunned and shocked’ as his much-vaunted West Ham dropped two more priceless points at Turf Moor.
West Ham may be unbeaten in 10 games but five successive draws is just not good enough when you are chasing automatic promotion and they are now hanging on to the coattails of Southampton and Reading.
Yet again West Ham’s profligacy in front of goal, as much as Burnley’s resistance and the stirring deeds of their goalkeeper Lee Grant, cost them dearly.
MATCH FACTS
Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Duff, Edgar, Mee, Marney, McCann, Bartley (Austin 81), Wallace, Paterson (Stanislas 90),
Ings (McQuoid 86).
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Hewitt.
Booked: Duff.
Goals: Bartley 25, Paterson 36.
West Ham: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney, Collison (Carew 82) ,Noble, Nolan, O'Neil, Taylor (Maynard 46), Cole (Baldock 46).
Subs Not Used: Lansbury,Potts.
Booked: Tomkins, Collison, Maynard.
Goals: Nolan 68,Tomkins 70.
Att: 15,246
Ref: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).
‘It has been a problem all season,’ admitted Allardyce, who was hardly surprised by the home fans’ chants of, ‘you’re not going up’.
That was always going to happen after his association with Blackburn and Bolton and particularly when the Hammers went off at the break 2-0 down.
‘I was as stunned at half-time as I was at the finish, because we dominated the game,’ Allardyce said.
‘I can’t remember going away from home and creating so many chances. We squandered them before Burnley’s goals and again in the second half. Our front men have now scored five goals out of 21 in the last 15 games and it is costing us massively.’
Burnley’s ambitions of reaching the play-offs have slipped in recent weeks but this was an opportunity to tap into West Ham’s increasing anxiety, remembering how well they had played at Upton Park where they won there 2-1 in early December. And they did so without 21-goal leading scorer Jay Rodriguez, who was sidelined with a groin injury.
West Ham were already stacking up a catalogue of missed opportunities when Marvin Bartley took Ross Wallace’s pass to jink his way through and score for Burnley after 25 minutes. Incredibly, it was the first effort either side had on target.
Skipper Nolan did get the ball in the net for West Ham a minute later, only to discover after celebrating that it had been disallowed for a push.
Then Danny Collins looped a header against an upright and, when Nolan tried to poke the rebound over the line, Grant intervened.
And when Martin Paterson sidefooted in Burnley’s second goal from Ben Mee’s cross after 36 minutes, the home supporters loved it.
If a Wallace effort had found the net after that, three goals would probably have been too many to haul back - and Paterson was close to scoring another for tenacious Burnley early in the second half. By then, Allardyce had replaced Carlton Cole and Matt Taylor with Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at the break.
But at least his team dug deep and Nolan’s chip over Grant after 68 minutes increased the pressure on Burnley. Two minutes later, they were level, Mark Noble’s free-kick finding its way, via a defender’s head, to James Tomkins, who rifled home.
Surely, the Hammers would win it now and they went for broke after John Carew came on for Jack Collison with 10 minutes left.
Carew set up one golden chance for Baldock, who sliced wide, before missing two himself, and Grant also denied him with two excellent saves.
In the end, Burnley manager Eddie Howe was almost as disappointed as Allardyce. ‘I thought the lads were excellent today. Once we settled into the game and got some confidence we came up with some really good combinations.
‘I always think the third goal is very important and we nearly got it. But, at 2-1, it was game-on again and, in the end, we had Lee Grant to thank for two great saves.
‘But we wanted to show our supporters what we are capable of, and I think we did today.’
the guardian
Martin Paterson, left, scores Burnley's second goal against West Ham in the Championship game at Turf Moor
West Ham's James Tomkins shows a level head against Burnley
Burnley 2
Bartley 25,
Paterson 36
West Ham United 2
Nolan 68,
Tomkins 70
Two goals in two second-half minutes rescued a point for West Ham at Turf Moor as they fell further off the Championship promotion pace. Wins for the league's top two, Southampton and Reading, meant there was little comfort for Sam Allardyce's side to take after Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured a fifth successive draw on the back of a dismal first-half showing.
But Allardyce is refusing to throw in the towel just yet. "I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that," he said. "In the second half we got better and better and then squandered so many chances. It's a massive cost to us because we should have won comfortably. This could be the turning point in our season with regards to getting automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight."
Martin Paterson had put Burnley two up at the interval after Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine individual effort. Carlton Cole and Martin Taylor spurned good chances for West Ham and their challenge appeared to have petered out until the second-half rally arrived. The result left West Ham four points behind second-placed Reading with a game in hand
West Ham started the game well and should have taken the lead in the ninth minute. Cole latched on to Taylor's through ball and rounded the goalkeeper, Lee Grant, but scuffed his shot into the side-netting.
There appeared to be little danger when Paterson and Ross Wallace combined to tee up Bartley midway inside the West Ham half. The midfielder swept past Danny Collins and unleashed a low drive that Robert Green could only help into the net. Allardyce's frustration was compounded as Burnley doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time. Ben Mee was allowed to advance down the left, with Paterson converting at the near post.
Allardyce sent Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard on at half-time and reverted to 4-4-2, but West Ham threatened only sporadically until their comeback began in the 68th minute. O'Neil lofted a ball forward and Nolan capitalised on a moment's hesitation from Michael Duff to lob Grant.
Two minutes later it was all square when Tomkins found the decisive touch after Maynard flicked on Mark Noble's free kick. Baldock spurned a golden opportunity to take the points at the death, but blazed over from six yards when substitute John Carew chested into his path.
the telegraph
Flagging: West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has seen his side's push for promotion flounder
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce 'shocked’ by draw with Burnley at Turf Moor
Sam Allardyce expressed his amazement that West Ham had failed to beat Burnley as his side slipped further behind in the race for automatic promotion.
Two goals in as many second-half minutes from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins rescued a point for the visitors at Turf Moor, but West Ham are now four points off second-place Reading and nine behind leaders Southampton.
“I’m flabbergasted how we did not win that,” Allardyce said. “I’m stunned and shocked but that’s football. I was stunned at half-time that we were 2-0 down. We dominated the game from the very start and kept slipping up. We kept missing chances. Whatever we did we couldn’t find the net.
“This could be the turning point in our season with regards to getting automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight.”
Marvin Bartley and Martin Paterson had given Burnley two-goal half-time lead.
Sharp scored twice to lessen the blow of leading scorer Rickie Lambert being forced off with an injury.
“The big thing is, here we’re not just relying on one person to score the goals,” Adkins said. “It’s 72 league goals we’ve scored now. We’ve got some exceptionally good goalscorers and strikers here.”
Brighton manager Gus Poyet said his side had got lucky with a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Joel Lynch scored in the fourth minute of added time to cancel out Sam Vokes’s goal for Brighton, but Poyet said: “We got lucky today. I’m happy to take the point and run home quickly.”
the independent
West Ham United. Sharp headed in his first just before the hour and wrapped up the win when he fired home from inside the area with 15 minutes remaining.
But the Hammers' hopes of automatic promotion suffered another setback at Turf Moor after a fifth consecutive stalemate. Trailing 2-0 to Burnley at the break, goals by Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins in the space of two minutes earned a 2-2 draw. West Ham play their game in hand on Tuesday, at Peterborough United, then host second-placed Reading next Saturday.
"I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that," the West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce, said. "Whatever we did we couldn't find the net."
the observer
Martin Paterson, left, scores Burnley's second goal against West Ham in the Championship game at Turf Moor.
West Ham's James Tomkins shows a level head against Burnley
Burnley 2
Bartley 25,
Paterson 36
West Ham United 2
Nolan 68,
Tomkins 70
Two goals in two second-half minutes rescued a point for West Ham at Turf Moor as they fell further off the Championship promotion pace. Wins for the league's top two, Southampton and Reading, meant there was little comfort for Sam Allardyce's side to take after Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured a fifth successive draw on the back of a dismal first-half showing.
But Allardyce is refusing to throw in the towel just yet. "I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that," he said. "In the second half we got better and better and then squandered so many chances. It's a massive cost to us because we should have won comfortably. This could be the turning point in our season with regards to getting automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight."
Martin Paterson had put Burnley two up at the interval after Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine individual effort. Carlton Cole and Martin Taylor spurned good chances for West Ham and their challenge appeared to have petered out until the second-half rally arrived. The result left West Ham four points behind second-placed Reading with a game in hand
West Ham started the game well and should have taken the lead in the ninth minute. Cole latched on to Taylor's through ball and rounded the goalkeeper, Lee Grant, but scuffed his shot into the side-netting.
There appeared to be little danger when Paterson and Ross Wallace combined to tee up Bartley midway inside the West Ham half. The midfielder swept past Danny Collins and unleashed a low drive that Robert Green could only help into the net. Allardyce's frustration was compounded as Burnley doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time. Ben Mee was allowed to advance down the left, with Paterson converting at the near post.
Allardyce sent Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard on at half-time and reverted to 4-4-2, but West Ham threatened only sporadically until their comeback began in the 68th minute. O'Neil lofted a ball forward and Nolan capitalised on a moment's hesitation from Michael Duff to lob Grant.
Two minutes later it was all square when Tomkins found the decisive touch after Maynard flicked on Mark Noble's free kick. Baldock spurned a golden opportunity to take the points at the death, but blazed over from six yards when substitute John Carew chested into his path.
sunday express
BURNLEY 2 - WEST HAM 2: BOOS BUSTER SAM ALLARDYCE SHOWS DRAWING POWER
SAM ALLARDYCE saw his hopes of an immediate Premier League return reignited with a stunning comeback which turned boos into cheers.
The ex-Blackburn and Bolton boss had suffered moans and groans from Hammers fans following an indifferent sequence of results.
And West Ham looked on their way to a damaging defeat when goals from Marvin Bartley and Martin Paterson saw Burnley take a lucky 2-0 lead in a half the visitors had dominated.
But two strikes in three second half minutes dramatically turned this thrilling contest on its head. Kevin Nolan scored on 68 minutes and James Tomkins, pictured, levelled two minutes later.
‘‘I’m stunned that we did not win,’’ said Allardyce. ‘‘We dominated the game from start to finish but squandered so many chances.’’
But Hammers’ point was fully deserved after luck deserted them in the first half.
Seconds after Bartley’s opener Nolan appeared to have scored a perfectly good goal only to see it chalked off with celebrations in full flow.
The home fans gleefully taunted West Ham with chants of “you’re not going up”.
But Allardyce threw on Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at the break in a bid to change the fortune in front of goal. And it worked with pocket-size Baldock playing in Nolan who bravely beat Grant to finish well.
The game was turned on its head and West Ham were celebrating when Tomkins hammered home from Maynard’s header.
The Hammers had chances to win it, with Baldock blazing over and sub John Carew shooting straight at Robert Green.
Burnley boss Eddie Howe said: “We’re kicking ourselves for not holding on to our lead.
the sporting life
James Tomkins: Rescued Hammers a point
BIG SAM STAYING POSITIVE
Sam Allardyce is refusing to throw in the towel just yet, despite seeing West Ham drop points with a 2-2 draw at Burnley and slip further behind in the race for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
Two goals in as many second-half minutes from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins rescued a point for United at Turf Moor, but victories for top two Southampton and Reading meant it was a miserable afternoon for the Hammers.
Martin Paterson sent Burnley in two goals to the good at the interval after Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine individual effort.
The draw at Burnley leaves West Ham four points off second-placed Reading and nine behind leaders Southampton.
"I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that," said Allardyce.
"I'm stunned and shocked but that's football.
"I was stunned at half-time that we were 2-0 down. We dominated the game from the very start and kept slipping up. We kept missing chances. Whatever we did we couldn't find the net.
"In the second half we got better and better and then squandered so many chances. It's a massive cost to us because we should have won comfortably.
"This could be the turning point in our season with regards to getting automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight.
"I just told the players to carry on the way they were playing at half-time as chance after chance went begging.
"It was just two defensive slip-ups that cost us. The second one was an ordinary cross we should have dealt with. I've never seen a game like that."
It could and probably should have been very different for West Ham had Carlton Cole not spurned early opportunities for the Hammers.
The misses proved costly as Bartley opened the scoring with a low drive past England goalkeeper Robert Green on 25 minutes.
And it got worse for Allardyce and West Ham ten minutes before the break as Paterson scored at the near post for Burnley.
But West Ham came roaring back into the game after the break as first Nolan lobbed Lee Grant on 68 minutes.
And two minutes later it was all square when Tomkins found the decisive touch from a Mark Noble's free-kick.
Sam Baldock had two late chances to win it for West Ham but decisively spurned both opportunities.
Burnley manager Eddie Howe said: "I'm very disappointed as we were excellent and very brave. We took 10-15 minutes to settle but we had a lot of confidence.
"They are a strong, physical side. But the third goal was crucial in the game and they got it. We are thankful to Lee Grant who made saves - it would have been a tragedy if we had lost this.
"We have to say people are growing. We wanted to have a show of spirit and play for the club. I'm disappointed by the result but I'm very enthusiastic about the performance.
"We're kicking ourselves because I believe we had the capability of being good enough this year. We've surrendered some leads and that's something we need to focus on.
"We've competed really well against the top sides and given good accounts of ourselves in the big games. It's perhaps more the games against the teams down the lower end when we've struggled and dropped points when we should not have done so.
"It's such small margins as we could easily have been knocking on the door. We will have to learn that quickly for next year and keep the group together and have a good push for promotion."
bbc sport
Burnley 2
Bartley 25′
Paterson 36′
West Ham 2
Nolan 68′
Tomkins 70′
90 +5
HT 2-0
West Ham fought back from 2-0 down at Burnley to salvage their fifth successive Championship draw.
Martin Paterson sent Burnley in two goals to the good at the interval after Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine individual effort.
But goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins in two second-half minutes rescued a point for the Hammers.
Sam Baldock spurned a golden opportunity to take the points at the death, but blazed over from six yards.
DID YOU KNOW?
West Ham have drawn seven of their last nine league games
The result, and victories for top two Southampton and Reading, left Sam Allardyce's men four points shy of the automatic promotion places, albeit with a game in hand.
Even so, it was a point more than they had looked like taking for much of the game.
The first clear-cut chance of the afternoon fell to the home side when recalled left-back Ben Mee found space to cross for Paterson, who sent his free header wide.
Carlton Cole should have given the Hammers the lead when he latched on to Martin Taylor's through-ball and rounded Clarets goalkeeper Lee Grant, but scuffed his shot into the side netting.
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The visitors paid the price as Bartley charged past Danny Collins and unleashed a low drive that Robert Green could only touch into the corner of his net.
Burnley doubled their lead 10 minutes before half-time as Mee was allowed to advance down the left, with Paterson converting at the near post.
West Ham's comeback began in the 68th minute as Gary O'Neil lofted a speculative ball forward and Nolan lobbed the on-rushing Grant.
And two minutes later it was all square when Nicky Maynard flicked on Mark Noble's free-kick and Tomkins provided the decisive touch.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "I'm flabbergasted how we did not win that.
"I'm stunned and shocked but that's football. I was stunned at half-time that we were 2-0 down. We dominated the game from the very start and kept slipping up. We kept missing chances. Whatever we did we couldn't find the net.
"In the second half we got better and better and then squandered so many chances. It's a massive cost to us because we should have won comfortably.
"This could be the turning point in our season with regards to getting automatic promotion. It makes things more tense and tight.
"I just told the players to carry on the way they were playing at half-time as chance after chance went begging.
"It was just two defensive slip-ups that cost us. The second one was an ordinary cross we should have dealt with. I've never seen a game like that."
Burnley manager Eddie Howe: "I'm very disappointed as we were excellent and very brave. We took 10-15 minutes to settle but we had a lot of confidence.
"They are a strong, physical side, but the third goal was crucial in the game and they got it.
"We have to say people are growing. We wanted to have a show of spirit and play for the club. I'm disappointed by the result but I'm very enthusiastic about the performance.
"We're kicking ourselves because I believe we had the capability of being good enough this year. We've surrendered some leads and that's something we need to focus on.
"We've competed really well against the top sides and given good accounts of ourselves in the big games. It's perhaps more the games against the teams down the lower end when we've struggled and dropped points when we should not have done so.
"It's such small margins as we could easily have been knocking on the door. We will have to learn that quickly for next year and keep the group together and have a good push for promotion."
the burnley express
Burnley FC surrender two-goal lead to draw with Hammers
TWO goals in as many second half minutes denied the Clarets victory against West Ham United.
Eddie Howe's return to the Turf Moor dugout seemed to have had a significant impact on his side, with goals from Marvin Bartley and Martin Paterson giving the Clarets a two-goal advantage at the interval.
But Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan and defender James Tomkins replied for the visitors, who were unfortunate not to snatch maximum points at the end.
After the initial quarter-of-an-hour Sam Allardyce's side struggled to adapt with Burnley's high tempo display as they limited their opponents to little time on the ball, pressing the London side high up the field.
The visitors started the better of the two teams and, after Paterson's early header flashed wide of Robert Green's post, Hammers striker Carlton Cole had two chances to open the scoring.
Matt Taylor intercepted Michael Duff's underhit pass and as Noble claimed possession the midfielder threaded a pass through to Cole who calmly rounded Grant but fired wide off balance. Moments later Cole lashed goalwards from the penalty spot but failed to get around the ball from Joey O'Brien's low cross and his effort landed in the David Fishwick Stand.
The Clarets failed to find a flow before the deadlock was broken, bullied by a physical Hammers outfit. And their inability to string passes together was more than likely helped by the frustration that grew from referee Mark Haywood's reluctancy to use his whistle.
However, the goal finally came and it was the first time the Clarets really found their stride, proving too slick and intricate for the Hammers to deal with. Ross Wallace's pass from the right was cleverly flicked in to the path of marauding midfielder Bartley by Paterson and he cooly stepped past James Tomkins before firing beneath Green.
But the hosts were lucky to retain their lead just minutes later when United had a goal ruled out. Jack Collison's cross was powered home via the underside of the bar by skipper Nolan; only for Haywood to spot an infringement, consequently wiping the goal out.
The home side's energy and desire continued to cause problems and their next push resulted in a second. Danny Ings, Dean Marney and Paterson were all involved in a slick exhibition of pass and move football in the centre of the park and as the ball worked its way out to Mee, the full-back's inswinging cross was guided past Green off Paterson's thigh.
Collison tested Grant from distance, though the Clarets stopper did well to palm the ball over the bar, and from the resulting corner Tomkins, who had been caught for both goals, missed the target with a header. Ings was denied his first Clarets goal by the post as his glancing header from Wallace's teasing cross had Green rooted to the spot and as the half came to a close Grant denied Taylor from close range.
The result and performance at half-time forced Allardyce in to changes, with Nicky Maynard and Sam Baldock replacing Matt Taylor and Carlton Cole respectively.
That tactical change certainly made it's presence felt, though it was Howe's side who would be the early beneficiaries as the game opened up. David Edgar sliced wide from 12 yards and Paterson blazed over from the edge of the box as the Clarets looked to put the game to bed. And Trippier's diagonal cross, evading the grasp of Green, grazed the head of Paterson as he pounced at the back post.
But the momentum swung on the hour. Maynard's deflected effort had Grant scrambling to his post, though the effort whistled by for a corner, before full-back George McCartney's trickery forced a way past Kieran Trippier and Marney, only for Grant to save his low, angled shot.
Mee thwarted another Hammers opportunity as he blocked Danny Collins' header from Noble's corner but, just as it looked as though the visitors were running out of ideas, their captain led by example to halve the deficit. Michael Duff and Grant failed to communicate and deal with a seemingly routine through ball, but the defender's deliberation and Grant's uncertainty saw Nolan latch on to the invitation and lift the ball over the keeper.
Burnley's composure transformed to disarray and, as they momentarily lost their discipline, the Hammers struck again to level the fixture when Noble's set-piece was steered in to the corner by Tomkins. Allardyce introduced John Carew while Howe brought on Charlie Austin, Junior Stanislas and Josh McQuoid over the course of the second half as both side's searched for the three points. Trippier cleared from underneath his own crossbar from Maynard's cross while Joey O'Brien's last ditch challenge prevented Paterson a clear opening from Ings' inviting centre.
Baldock flashed wide of the angle having found time and space from Carew's nod down in to his path and Baldock returned the favour, chesting down for the Norweigan international who should have done better than fire straight at Grant.
In the closing stages Baldock was denied by the legs of Grant as he raced through and Austin saw his header saved by Green from Mee's deep cross.
It finished at Turf Moor, Clarets 2 West Ham United 2.
team talk
Burnley
2-2
West Ham United
Marvin Bartley 25
Martin Paterson 36
Kevin Nolan 68
James Tomkins 70
Irons hit back to deny Clarets
Two second-half goals rescued a point for West Ham in a 2-2 draw at Burnley as the Hammers fell further off the Championship promotion pace.
Victories for top two Southampton and Reading meant there was little comfort for the Hammers to take after Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured a fifth successive draw on the back of a dismal first-half showing.
Martin Paterson sent Burnley in two goals to the good at the interval after Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine individual effort.
Carlton Cole and Martin Taylor both spurned good chances for West Ham and their challenge appeared to have petered out until the second-half rally arrived.
The result left Allardyce's men four points shy of Reading in second with a game in hand, while opposite number Eddie Howe has not tasted victory for seven games.
The first clear-cut chance fell to the home side when recalled left-back Ben Mee found space to cross for Paterson, who sent his free header wide.
In the ninth minute West Ham should have taken the lead. Cole latched on to Taylor's through-ball and rounded Clarets goalkeeper Lee Grant, but scuffed his shot into the side netting with the goal gaping.
Cole then fired high and wide after Joey O'Brien's cross deflected into his path and he would soon play for his profligacy.
There appeared to be little danger when Paterson and Ross Wallace combined to tee up Bartley midway inside the West Ham half. The midfielder proceeded to charge past Danny Collins and unleash a low drive that Robert Green could only touch into the corner of his net.
The Hammers thought they had an immediate response when Nolan planted home a header via the underside of Grant's crossbar, but his effort was ruled out for a push on David Edgar.
Allardyce's frustration was compounded as Burnley doubled their lead 10 minutes before the half-time.
West Ham failed to heed their earlier warning as Mee was once more allowed to advance down the left, with Paterson converting successfully at the near post on this occasion.
Clarets defender Michael Duff almost handed the visitors a lifeline in first-half stoppage-time when he missed a back header and Taylor fired straight at Grant.
Taylor and Cole were punished for their missed chances as Allardyce sent Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at half-time and reverted to 4-4-2.
Paterson outmuscled Tomkins as Burnley looked to increase their advantage in the opening minutes of the second half.
Baldock had a 25-yard effort deflected wide, but West Ham threatened only sporadically until their comeback began in the 68th minute.
O'Neil lofted a speculative ball forward and Nolan capitalised on a moment's hesitation from Duff to lob the on-rushing Grant.
Two minutes later it was all square when Tomkins found the decisive touch after Maynard flicked on Mark Noble's free-kick, awarded when Wallace felled George McCartney 30 yards from goal on the left.
West Ham almost had a third goal in five minutes as Baldock sprung the Burnley offside trap and fired a low cross beyond Grant that Kieran Trippier hacked clear with Baldock and Nolan in close attendance.
Baldock spurned a golden opportunity to take the points at the death, but blazed over from six yards when substitute John Carew chested into his path.
football 365.com
Tomkins: Grabbed West Ham's equaliser at Burnley
Irons hit back to deny Clarets
Two second-half goals rescued a point for West Ham in a 2-2 draw at Burnley as the Hammers fell further off the Championship promotion pace.
Victories for top two Southampton and Reading meant there was little comfort for the Hammers to take after Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins secured a fifth successive draw on the back of a dismal first-half showing.
Martin Paterson sent Burnley in two goals to the good at the interval after Marvin Bartley opened the scoring with a fine individual effort.
Carlton Cole and Martin Taylor both spurned good chances for West Ham and their challenge appeared to have petered out until the second-half rally arrived.
The result left Allardyce's men four points shy of Reading in second with a game in hand, while opposite number Eddie Howe has not tasted victory for seven games.
The first clear-cut chance fell to the home side when recalled left-back Ben Mee found space to cross for Paterson, who sent his free header wide.
In the ninth minute West Ham should have taken the lead. Cole latched on to Taylor's through-ball and rounded Clarets goalkeeper Lee Grant, but scuffed his shot into the side netting with the goal gaping.
Cole then fired high and wide after Joey O'Brien's cross deflected into his path and he would soon play for his profligacy.
There appeared to be little danger when Paterson and Ross Wallace combined to tee up Bartley midway inside the West Ham half. The midfielder proceeded to charge past Danny Collins and unleash a low drive that Robert Green could only touch into the corner of his net.
The Hammers thought they had an immediate response when Nolan planted home a header via the underside of Grant's crossbar, but his effort was ruled out for a push on David Edgar.
Allardyce's frustration was compounded as Burnley doubled their lead 10 minutes before the half-time.
West Ham failed to heed their earlier warning as Mee was once more allowed to advance down the left, with Paterson converting successfully at the near post on this occasion.
Clarets defender Michael Duff almost handed the visitors a lifeline in first-half stoppage-time when he missed a back header and Taylor fired straight at Grant.
Taylor and Cole were punished for their missed chances as Allardyce sent Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard at half-time and reverted to 4-4-2.
Paterson outmuscled Tomkins as Burnley looked to increase their advantage in the opening minutes of the second half.
Baldock had a 25-yard effort deflected wide, but West Ham threatened only sporadically until their comeback began in the 68th minute.
O'Neil lofted a speculative ball forward and Nolan capitalised on a moment's hesitation from Duff to lob the on-rushing Grant.
Two minutes later it was all square when Tomkins found the decisive touch after Maynard flicked on Mark Noble's free-kick, awarded when Wallace felled George McCartney 30 yards from goal on the left.
West Ham almost had a third goal in five minutes as Baldock sprung the Burnley offside trap and fired a low cross beyond Grant that Kieran Trippier hacked clear with Baldock and Nolan in close attendance.
Baldock spurned a golden opportunity to take the points at the death, but blazed over from six yards when substitute John Carew chested into his path.
official site
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20120324/ ... 84_2691093
lancashire telegraph
FULL-TIME: Burnley 2, West Ham 2
TWO goals in three second-half minutes cost Burnley the chance to do the double over promotion chasing West Ham, and end a run of six games without a win.
The Clarets were confident after taking a 2-0 lead into the break, but the Hammers hit back after making a double substitution at half-time, and Burnley had to resist further pressure to see the game out.
Marvin Bartley and Martin Paterson scored their first goals of 2012 to give Burnley a strong head-start.
Bartley ran on to Paterson's backheel and slotted past Robert Green to break the deadlock in the 25th minute.
Ben Mee then crossed for Paterson to get ahead of James Tomkins to double Burnley's lead 10 minutes before the break.
But West Ham boss Sam Allardyce rang the changes at the start of the second half, with Sam Baldock and the lively Nicky Maynard coming on for Matt Taylor and Carloton Cole, and the visitors looked a stronger attacking threat.
But it took a mistake by Michael Duff to let the visitors in, though, as the defender let the ball bounce and Kevin Nolan nipped in to lift the ball over Lee Grant.
Tomkins atoned for his first-half error to equalise in the 70th minute, from Nolan's free kick.
Burnley survived further scares after John Carew came off the bench to hang on to a point, although Clarets substitute Charlie Austin had a header saved late on.
Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric is expected to delay signing a new deal at White Hart Lane until the uncertainty surrounding Harry Redknapp is resolved and he knows who will be Spurs manager next season.
Daily Mirror
Spurs also look set to miss out again on strikers Leandro Damiao and Giuseppe Rossi, both of whom they targeted last summer and who appear to favour moves to Italy.
Metro
Rivals Manchester United and Manchester City are likely to do battle again, this time for the signature of 24-year-old Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan, who is expected to cost around £25m.
Daily Mirror
The neighbours could also be in competition for 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.
Metro
Liverpool technical director Damien Comolli has watched 23-year-old Anderlecht striker Matias Suarez in recent months and the Reds are contemplating a summer move for the Argentinian, who is also wanted by West Brom and another unnamed Premier League club.
Daily Mirror
Arsenal are thought to be considering an approach for Manchester City striker John Guidetti, the Swedish Under-21 international, who has reportedly threatened to leave if he does not win a place in the City first team next season.
Caught Offside
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has admitted he would relish the opportunity to become England manager.
talkSPORT
Hodgson is determined to resolve the future of on-loan goalkeeper Ben Foster as soon as possible.
Express and Star
Juventus midfielder Milos Krasic has conceded he made a mistake in rejecting a chance to join Tottenham in the January transfer window.
The Sun
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists his team have not yet done enough to be sure of a top-four place in the Premier League.
talkSPORT
Meanwhile Wenger expects midfielder Jack Wilshere to return to the Arsenal first team, after the England international was thought to have been sidelined for the remainder of the season with a stress fracture of the ankle.
Goal.com
Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland is determined to become a regular in the first team, while manager Alex McLeish has dismissed reports linking the 25-year-old with a move to American Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.
Birmingham Mail
QPR owner Tony Fernandes launched a furious attack on his team on Twitter following their 3-1 defeat at Sunderland.
talkSPORT
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says the club have identified a number of summer transfer targets he believes will "excite the fans".
Newcastle Chronicle
Burnley are expected to thwart interest in youth prospect Cameron Howieson, the New Zealander who is thought to have been watched by Liverpool and Newcastle, by offering the 17-year-old a professional contract.
Lancashire Telegraph
The Belgian FA is considering whether to look into an unusual incident during a second division match between Royal Antwerp and FC Tubize, after the visiting manager gestured as if to kick opposition striker John Cofie in a "delicate place
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