Relegation-threatened West Ham took its unbeaten run in the Premier League to three matches by picking up a point from a 1-1 draw with Everton on Tuesday.
An own goal by Tony Hibbert in the 16th minute gave the Hammers a fortuitous lead but Seamus Coleman volleyed in an inch-perfect cross from Australia midfielder Tim Cahill to draw midtable Everton level three minutes before half time.
There were few clearcut chances in a low-quality second half at Upton Park but it was another solid display by West Ham, which has improved in recent weeks to lift some of the pressure on manager Avram Grant.
The home side remains second from bottom but is now two points clear of Wolverhampton Wanderers, which has two games in hand.
West Ham moved off the bottom of the league on Sunday thanks to a 3-1 win at Fulham, its first away victory of the campaign. Carlton Cole scored twice in that game but the England striker was relegated to the bench for the Everton game, with Nigeria forward Victor Obinna recalled.
With Obinna prominent, the Hammers started the better but needed a slice of luck to take the lead. Robert Kovac's spectacular overhead kick was heading back into the danger area before it took a wicked deflection off Hibbert, the ball spinning past wrong-footed 'keeper Tim Howard and into the net.
Obinna was just off target in the 20th when he went round Mikel Arteta with a clever nutmeg before smashing a left-foot shot that flew wide of Howard's post.
Grant had to reorganize when left back Herita Ilunga was forced off injured in the 34th. Jonathan Spector came on in place of Ilunga but the United States defender was partially at fault for Everton's goal.
Spector got drawn into the middle when Cahill collected the ball on the left and his cross to the far post was volleyed in by the unmarked Coleman.
West Ham captain Scott Parker chipped just wide moments before half time and Cole, on as a substitute, screwed a finish off target from 10 yards in the 71st after good work by Luis Boa Morte and Freddie Sears.
Cahill's shot on the turn was saved in the 80th by Robert Green, who then beat out a header by Marouane Fellaini as Everton finished the stronger.
