West Ham were booed off the field after they were held to a goalless draw with struggling Walsall at Upton Park having failed to take advantage of their dominance.

The Saddlers, just two points above the drop zone and without a win since Boxing Day, employed five men across the midfield in an attempt to snuff out the threat from the attack-minded home side.

Manager Colin Lee's tactics worked as his side picked up a priceless point in their bid to avoid relegation.

West Ham, meanwhile, have had their problems in front of their own fans and this was their 15th draw of the campaign.

Marlon Harewood managed to find some space in the 17th minute and it ended with the Hammers putting the ball into the net, although Bobby Zamora's joy was short-lived as he was flagged offside.

Three minutes later Adam Nowland tried his luck from 25 yards but visiting goalkeeper James Walker was untroubled.

It was Walsall, on the back of three successive defeats, who should take taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Simon Osborn's cross was met by Gary Birch.

But the 22-year-old striker, without a goal in 13 games, put his header from close-range wide.

The Hammers suffered a setback just before the half-hour mark when Hayden Mullins was forced off and replaced by experienced Wales international defender Andy Melville.

Hammers boss Alan Pardew made a change at the break, replacing the ineffective Nowland with Joel McAnuff as he attempted to break Walsall down.

But they were again restricted to long-range efforts with Harewood wayward from the edge of the box.

Seven minutes into the second half Scotland defender Christian Dailly went close to breaking the deadlock but just failed to direct his header from Michael Carrick's corner on target.

Walsall survived the early onslaught and Kris Taylor saw his header shave the outside of the post.

Pardew threw on veteran forward Brian Deane for David Connolly but his last throw of the dice came up blank.

The visitors continued to suffocate the Hammers, who were made to settle for their third league draw in four games.

With Sheffield United not in league action this weekend due to their FA Cup commitments, Pardew's side missed a good chance to put pressure on their rivals while Walsall will be happy with a point.

Teams

West Ham Bywater, Mullins (Melville 29), Dailly, Repka, Harley, Harewood, Carrick, Reo-Coker, Nowland (McAnuff 45), Zamora, Connolly (Deane 81).

Subs Not Used: Srnicek, Carole.

Walsall Walker, Bazeley, Osborn, Roper, Aranalde, Kris Taylor, Matias, Emblen, Samways (Wales 78), Birch (Fryatt 69), Leitao.

Subs Not Used: Petterson, Caines, Bennett.

Att: 33,177

Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).