United were denied in the cruellest fashion tonight as a goal from Scott Parker with eight seconds left denied them at least extra time at Upton Park

United made changes after the draw at Wycombe on Saturday. The first was enforced with Ben Purkiss replacing the injured Damian Batt, but the other two changes were tactical as Alfie Potter and Mitchell Cole came in for Jack Midson and Matt Green. The Hammers also made changes with Robert Green and Carlton Cole on the bench but Cole's replacement Frederic Piquionne was soon into the action forcing Ryan Clarke into the first save of the night to push a low shot round the post inside the first minute.

The U's, an a new Spurs style white-blue-blue kit were also in a new 4-1-4-1 shape to start with and were disciplined and organised as they harried the Hammers all over the park and then tried to play their customary good football, A tenth minute cross from Purkiss was their first dangerous moment and a Constable sidefoot on 16 forced keeper Marek Stech into his first save of the night after a fine run and cross from the flying Cole on the left.

The elusive Potter also saw a shot saved by Stech on 25 and United were far from overawed although they were glad to see Harry Worley's boot do just enough to defelect a Stanislas shot just outside the post on 28 minutes. Piquionne should have planted his header into the net on 34 rather then nod it tamely wide, but otherwise United were strong in defence and when an opening came at the other end they might have taken a half time lead as Asa Hall's 25 yard drive was acrobatically tipped over by Stech. Just for good measure Constable volleyed the resulting corner just over the bar to underline that the game was still very much in the balance at the interval.

The second half began with Simon Clist replacing Cole on the left while The Hammers somehow managed to kick off a man light after Julien Faubert was late on parade! They were up to the full eleven by the time that the excellent Heslop found space to drive just wide in front of the magnificent away supporters with a low drive, although Piquionne had a similar effort at the other end two minutes later to keep Clarke on his toes.

West Ham's chances kept coming to Piquionne who forced the first true save out of Clarke five minutes into the second half, but Mark Noble had the best chance of the lot only to slice horrifically wide of the open goal as another cross came in from the right.

The introduction of Carlton Cole gave The Hammers a little more threat and they raised their game accordingly but the defensive pairing of Worley and Wright were magnificent and continued to stand strong. Wright's pace and distribution  were exemplary and in front of him there were great tackles from subs Clist and Baker to emphasise that every single player was playing their part.

When Parker did get a sight of goal on 80 Clarke was equal to it with a stunning save down to his left, with the Oxford fans chanting 'England's Number One'; it wasn't the watching Robert Green they were championing. Clarke was not the only one who deserved the plaudits and this was certainly not a case of United defending for their lives. From the non-stop running of Constable right through the team there was a confidence and commitment which will mean many more big nights like this in the years to come.

The cruel blow came 47 minutes and 52 seconds into the second half as Piquionne this time crossed and Parker was all on his own to volley home.

Harsh on United but they were heroic even in defeat.

Report by Chris Williams