West Ham were denied a win over Leeds United in their pulsating contest after a 90th minute goal salvaged a 2-2 draw at Upton Park this afternoon.

The Irons looked on course to claim a third consecutive win but a late strike from Adam Clayton meant they had to settle for a draw in this gripping encounter.

West Ham got off to a fast start again with Carlton Cole firing them into an early lead. The visitors missed a penalty in the first half through Max Gradel.

But Leeds United levelled after 59 minutes through Ross McCormack before an immediate response from the Hammers which resulted in an own goal for Patrick Kisnorbo.

The Hammers selected the side which won 4-0 at Watford on Tuesday night. But new signing John Carew was named on the bench for the first time since joining from Aston Villa.

Leeds United were boosted by the return from suspension of captain Jonathan Howson and former West Ham youngster Gradel.

West Ham made a bright start and forced Andy Lonergan into an early save when Cole’s header was pushed over the bar. The hosts kept up the pressure and were rewarded with the opener after just six minutes.

Matt Taylor swung in a corner and West Ham striker Cole volleyed past Lonergan from the six-yard line. It was a stunning start from the Hammers and a thoroughly deserved lead.

The visitors were shellshocked by the start but responded with their first attempt on goal when Clayton set up Gradel whose effort, from a tight angle, was tipped over by Robert Green.

Despite the early goal, the Hammers looked far from assured at the back and Andy Keogh nearly hit the target with a deflected volley. Leeds kept the pressure on and Robert Snodgrass was unlucky to see his long-range strike clip the woodwork.

West Ham had not really threatened after their early breakthrough but they created another opportunity in the 20th minute when Mark Noble cut inside and curled a shot from the edge of the area which was saved by Lonergan.

The home side had a major let off after 27 minutes when Leeds missed a penalty. Referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot for a handball against Taylor. Gradel stepped up but fired his low strike past Green’s post to the delight of the Hammers fans.

West Ham felt they should have had a penalty four minutes later when Cole broke clear and tumbled over under the challenge of Aidy White. But nothing was given to the disbelief of the England striker and the home crowd.

Leeds looked increasingly dangerous on the break and Gradel forced Green into a smart save from his long-range strike.

Gradel was guilty of a costly miss from the penalty but the pacy winger was a constant danger for the visitors and had an otherwise impressive first half.

The visitors thought they deserved another penalty at the start of the second half when White burst into the area and collapsed under the challenge of Scott Parker’s sliding tackle. But again Oliver decided against awarding the spot kick and West Ham survived the scare.

Leeds should have levelled the game six minutes after the restart when Keogh’s shot was parried by Green and McCormack smashed the follow up over the cross bar.

The Irons nearly doubled their lead when Cole flicked the ball on but Jack Collison’s header was straight at Lonergan.

Leeds replied immediately with Keogh crossing for McCormack but his flick was saved by Green.

Sam Allardyce made his first change after 58 minutes when he introduced Julien Faubert in place of Collison. But the hosts were caught asleep straight away as Snodgrass’s cross was smashed into the net by McCormack.

Incredibly the Hammers struck back immediately and regained the lead in the most dramatic fashion. Substitute Faubert had an immediate impact as he sent in a cross which was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Kisnorbo.

Carew was handed his West Ham debut midway through the second half when he was brought on in place of goalscorer Cole.

The Hammers came close to scoring the third when Taylor’s corner was headed towards goal by James Tomkins but Lonergan turned the ball round the post.

From the corner the ball was flicked on and Lonergan made a brilliant reaction save to deny Winston Reid’s shot from just a couple of yards out.

West Ham carved the visitors open again after 75 minutes with an excellent move involving Parker and Faubert but the England midfielder’s deflected strike cannoned off the post.

Allardyce made his final change with nine minutes remaining when he brought on Frederic Piquionne for Noble.

Leeds were still a threat on the counter attack, as they pressed for the equaliser, and Gradel’s long-range effort forced Green to push away the ball in the 85th minute.

The Hammers thought they had done enough to claim their first home win but were stung by a 90th minute equaliser. Howson’s strike cannoned off the crossbar and Clayton rifled the rebound into the net to salvage a point for Leeds.

West Ham: Green; Reid, Tomkins, O’Brien, Ilunga; Nolan, Parker, Collison (Faubert, 58), Taylor, Noble (Piquionne, 81); Cole (Carew, 66)

Leeds United: Lonergan; Kisnorbo, Lees, White, O’Dea; Gradel (Sam, 87), Howson, Snodgrass, Clayton; Keogh, McCormack (Nunez, 77)

Referee: Michael Oliver