FULL TIME: Hammers held to goalless draw (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

FULL TIME: Hammers held to goalless draw

4:53pm Saturday 5th January 2008 in West Ham By Guardian-series

West Ham 0
Manchester City 0
(FA Cup third rnd)

A TIRED looking West Ham face a gruelling trip to Manchester City for an FA Cup third round replay after a drab goalless draw at Upton Park this afternoon.

The frustrated Hammers never got going all game against high flying City.

Dean Ashton came close to winning it for the Hammers late on with a header that City keeper Joe Hart tipped over the crossbar.

Hart also did well in the first half to first deny Matty Etherington's stinging drive, and then push away a Mark Noble free kick that was heading for the top corner.

Stephen Ireland twice went close for City with two half-volleys - either side of half time - that Irons' keeper Robert Green did well to beat away.

Dangerous winger Martin Petrov also ran a cross along the crossbar.

The sides will now battle it out again for a place in the fourth round at the City of Manchester Stadium next week.

West Ham: Green, Neill (Spector 45), McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand, Mullins (Bowyer 74), Noble, Pantsil, Etherington (Reid 69), Ashton, Cole. Unused subs: Wright, Collins.