Callum Wilson’s injury time header snatched a hugely controversial point for Bournemouth as ref Robert MAdley first disallowed the goal then gave it.
Wilson touched home Nathan Ake’s effort only to see the linesman flagging for handball. But after furious protests Madley went to talk to the official and changed his mind by giving the goal.
TV replays showed the ball appeared to brush Wilson’s shoulder on its way into the net. It was heartbreak for West Ham who thought they had just snatched the win in a match vital to the relegation fears of both clubs.
Bournemouth earned a share of the spoils after referee Robert Madley reversed his decision to give a Callum Wilson goal
Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling celebrated in front of the home support after netting to draw the sides level
West Ham had taken the lead early on in the first half at Dean Court through a bullet header from defender James Collins
Nathan Ake pounced in the box after West Ham switched off from a Bournemouth corner to put the home side 2-1 up
Marko Arnautovic celebrated after capitalising on a slip from goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to equalise for the visitors
The West Ham midfielder then put the away side 3-2 up before Bournemouth scored a controversial equaliser to earn a point
The game finished with skipper for the day James Collins standing in front of Madley to usher his own players away to stop them getting in trouble.
Marco Arnautovic had scored twice in eight minutes to put them in front and it seemed David Moyes’ team were going to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three.
The Austrian who has gone from record flop to Hammers hero now has five goals in as many games.
His first was a reward for chasing down an Adam Smith back pass as Asmir Begovic slipped and presented him with an open goal, the second a tap-in after Javier Hernandez had a shot parried away by the keeper.
It seemed to have secured the win, but Bournemouth refused to lay down and then came their controversial goal.
Ironically West Ham begun with a scare from a couple of set pieces as first Ryan Fraser’s free kick flashed across the goalmouth and then Simon Frances headed just over from the corner that followed.
But the goal that put them in front was superbly worked, with Collins twisting to lose his marker Simon Francis and then meeting Aaron Cresswell’s inswinging corner with a firm header.
It was his first goal since last April, and after a season when he’s spent too much time on the sidelines was a sweet moment.
West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate had to receive medical attention after a throat-high challenge from Simon Francis
Despite animated protests from the West Ham players, referee Robert Madley only cautioned the Bournemouth defende
Joshua King tracks back to dispossess West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang as referee Madley looks on closely
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian jumps up in the air to tip an effort over the bar and out for a Bournemouth corner
The 34-year-old couldn’t have been happy at being dropped by David Moyes from Saturday’s 3-2 defeat by Newcastle after a man of the match display in the win at Stoke a week earlier, and there was no better way to make his point.
Hammers were fortunate to stay in front when Josh King pushed the ball wide from a few yards from Callum Wilson’s superb low cross, and even more so when a few minutes later he stabbed Fraser’s cross past the other post.
There was pressure building and it inevitably told when with 29 minutes gone Fraser’s floated free kick caused panic. Collins got a head to the ball but it bounced off King straight into the path of Gosling to volley home.
Angelo Ogbonna makes a vital interception by sticking his leg out to stop forward King from shooting at goal
Ryan Fraser leaps in the air to compete for the ball with West Ham’s Kouyate but loses out to the midfielder
King and Adam Smith work together to box in midfielder Manuel Lanzini in efforts to win possession back
The game threatened to boil over briefly when Francis caught Cheikh Kouyate in the face with his studs as he stretched trying to control the ball in the air.
Players from both sides dashed to the incident in front of the bench, and although there was no intent the Bournemouth captain was possibly fortunate that ref Robert Madley showed only a yellow card.
West Ham made the first chance of the second half, but Lanzini’s shot was brilliantly blocked by Lewis Cook.
But the young England midfielder then went from stopping goals to creating them. Bournemouth’s short corner routine brought the ball back to him, and he curled in a cross that saw Ake get in front of Pedro Obiang to put the home team in front.
Andre Ayew uses his body and strength to shield the ball as Bournemouth defender Smith tries to tackle him
Francis caught West Ham midfielder Kouyate in the face with a high boot and was lucky to just receive a yellow card
West Ham midfielder Marko Arnautovic shows his frustration after falling over in the wet conditions at Dean Court
Moyes brought on Andy Carroll and Pablo Hernandez to chase the game and it should have paid immediate dividends but Hernandez failed to get a touch on Carroll’s header from a Zabaleta free kick.
And a few moments later the pair combined again, this time to set up Arnautovic who slipped as he tried to steer the ball home.
Moyes had made an attacking gamble, but it carried risks with Bournemouth always able to break quickly and Fraser missing a good chance to wrap the game up.
It was a miss that came to haunt Bournemouth and could yet have major repercussion in the relegation fight.
Arnautovic chased down Adam Smith’s back pass, but even then there was no danger until Begovic slipped as he went to clear the ball and left the Austrian the simplest task to tap home.
When with a minute left Masuaka’s cross set up his second of the afternoon the travelling fans were celebrating – but there was a final twist to come.
Bournemouth defender Ake shows real composure to score from close range under pressure from Obiang and Ogbonna
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian spreads himself to deny Bournemouth substitute Benik Afobe from point-blank range
The West Ham players surround referee Madley after he changed his mind to award Wilson’s last-gasp equalising goal