Sunderland were denied their first victory of the Premier League campaign when Kevin Nolan hit a stoppage-time equaliser to earn West Ham United a point at Upton Park this afternoon.

The hosts struggled to settle into the game, and fell behind to well-taken goal by Steven Fletcher, who set himself up to fire into the bottom corner.

Sam Allardyce's men had a chance to draw level on 12 minutes when James Collins jumped up for a free header, only to put it wide from close range.

West Ham squandered a host of chances in the first half and started the second in scrappy fashion, but they almost drew level on 69 minutes when Joey O'Brien's shot tested Simon Mignolet.

Sunderland also looked short of ideas in the second period, coming closest on 79 minutes when Fletcher found space inside the box, only to fire over the crossbar.

West Ham continued to dominate the possession, and were rewarded for their efforts in injury time. Nolan pounced in the area when substitute Modibo Maiga nodded the ball on to rescue a point at the death.