Middlesbrough 1 West Ham 1

An 83rd minute goal by Egyptian striker Mido denied the Hammers all three points but Zola will have been encouraged by his side's positive display.

Hayden Mullins was the Irons' unlikely goalscorer. His goal, after 21 minutes, came after he completely missed his first shot but the midfielder had the presence of mind to settle himself and fire home from 10 yards for his first goal in almost two years.

It looked as though West Ham would hang on for their first clean sheet in 25 games - and their first win in five - before Mido, on as a substitute for Afonso Alves, drilled home a free-kick from outside the box.

Robert Green will have been disappointed his wall failed to provide sufficient protection, but there was still time for West Ham to almost nick the game with Turnbull producing a fine double save from Collison and then Lee Bowyer right at the death to keep the home side on level terms.

Zola was positive about the Hammers' performance, especially the displays of Collison and Sears.

He said: "It was a difficult game for experienced players so you can imagine what it was like for them.

"But I thought they were fantastic. I'm disappointed we didn't win after a performance like that but it could prove to be a huge point for us."

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater (Hoyte, 45), Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Alliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Arca, 57), Downing, Tuncay, Alves (Mido, 67).

Goals: Mido, 83.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Ilunga, Upson, Collins, Boa Morte (Bowyer, 85), Mullins, Collison, Faubert, Sears (Etherington, 74), Bellamy.

Goals: Mullins, 21.

Attendance: 25,164