West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce admitted his side's run of draws could cost them automatic promotion.

The Hammers could only manage a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough last night which was their fifth in a row at home and fourth consecutive one in the Championship.

The former Blackburn Rovers manager told the club website: “I’m not concerned with Reading, I am concerned with the way we are drawing too many games at home. Eventually these draws will cost us.

“Boro did have some chances to win it at the very end, but so did we; Sam Baldock was very close with the last header of the game.

“We should have killed it off before they scored but we didn’t and we have been punished yet again.

“Tonight is another point towards the total, it’s nine games unbeaten. We go home disappointed but like I said we must continue to believe that draws will turn into wins starting on Saturday [at Burnley] when again we will be trying our best to gain the three points.”