MIDDLESBROUGH - Dean Ashton enhanced his England credentials with a powerful first-half strike but it was Scott Parker's memorable last-minute winner which ensured West Ham picked up three fortunate points at the Riverside.
Ashton, with his fifth strike of the season in all competitions, and Parker provided the only moments of real quality in a scrappy Barclays Premier League match which Middlesbrough will feel aggrieved to have lost.
David Wheater put the hosts ahead with just before half-time after a fine lay-off from Jeremie Aliadiere but, while they were sorely lacking in inspiration, their endeavour should have been enough to earn them at least a draw.
The teams came into the match with contrasting fortunes, Boro having won their last three matches and West Ham reeling from consecutive defeats to Everton in the league and Carling Cup.
Adam Johnson's inclusion meant Stewart Downing began on the right of midfield and twice in the opening seconds his team-mates looked to release him down the flank.
But it was Tuncay Sanli, brimming with confidence after three goals in as many games, who caused the first sign of danger, jinking neatly into the penalty box before earning an early corner.
Tuncay impressed again after seven minutes, dribbling past Nolberto Solano before a cheeky back-heel released Emanuel Pogatetz.
His swerving cross was dealt with but the hosts were soon on the attack again, Tuncay starting the move before nice work from Downing and George Boateng set up Aliadiere.
The striker failed to force a save from Robert Green but the Hammers remained well behind the pace.
Parker started to drag his team into the match as the half progressed, dictating play well from the centre, but there was little flair in the final third.
Downing, trying hard to make things happen, dragged the ball back onto his left and lined up a shot midway through the first half but his shot ballooned high and wide.
After 26 minutes both sides nearly found an opening.
First Tuncay was denied by a clinical last-ditch tackle from Jonathan Spector before a swift counter-attack caught the home defence cold.
Henri Camara hunted down the ball with a turn of pace but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer dashed from his line to clear.
Boateng was booked on the half-hour mark after bundling over Freddie Ljungberg and Parker made an equally clumsy attempt moments later as things became scrappy.
It was the unlikely figure of centre-half Jonathan Woodgate who lent proceedings a rare hint of finesse when he delicately lobbed a pass to Aliadiere, but Green was first to the ball.
Woodgate's defensive partner Wheater then opened the scoring, turning the ball into an empty net after Aliadiere nodded the ball cleverly across goal from a curling free-kick.
Ashton, virtually anonymous for the rest of the half, then produced a fine equaliser.
The ball was lofted high and hopefully towards the Middlesbrough area when Camara stood firm to lay the ball into Ashton's path.
With several red shirts in attendance, Ashton surged through to drive powerfully past Schwarzer and into the bottom left corner.
Despite the flurry of activity which ended the first period, normal service was restored after the restart with both sides losing possession carelessly.
Julio Arca, finding his feet slowly in his return to the senior side, made his first threatening run in the 50th minute, losing his marker to link up well with the advancing Luke Young.
Only a well-timed slide from Ljungberg prevented the attack going farther.
Arca was then penalised for a foul 30 yards from goal and Schwarzer was forced to make a wonderful save as Solano looked to dip the ball under the crossbar with a trademark free-kick.
Johnson showed some nice footwork as he broke down the right 10 minutes into the second half but, after he left his marker for dead with a precise turn, Spector recovered to dispatch his cross.
Ashton then showed another side to his game, foregoing brawn to dummy the Boro defence with some trickery of his own. But when the ball broke to Solano he fired low and wide.
Pogatetz was presented with a fine chance to secure the lead for Boro when Tuncay hooked a cross over from the right-hand side of the penalty box but his scuffed finish could not match the approach.
Robert Huth, on for Woodgate - who did not appear in any discomfort - gave the hosts another option and was soon trying his luck from distance.
Both teams' forwards were looking increasingly adrift and Lucas Neill was involved in a bust-up with Johnson the pair let their frustrations boil over.
Parker then won it in the finest of fashions, collecting the ball on his chest before using both feet to scythe into the danger area and curl the ball into the far corner.
