Lesley Ugochukwu scored a stoppage-time equaliser as bottom side Southampton claimed a thoroughly deserved point at West Ham.
The midfielder cancelled out Jarrod Bowen’s opener as he thumped the ball in off the post in the 93rd minute at London Stadium.
A point means Southampton are up to 11 for the season in total, drawing level with the Derby County side of 2007-08, who hold the unwanted record of fewest points in a Premier League season.
Saints have avoided taking that record outright and have five matches to gain another point to move ahead of Derby.
Meanwhile, there were boos from the West Ham fans at the final whistle as their winless run in the Premier League extended to six games.
The visitors were the better side in the first half with the lively Kamaldeen Sulemana causing West Ham problems.
Shortly after Kyle Walker-Peters fired narrowly wide, Sulemana rattled the crossbar when the ball bounced invitingly for him inside the box.
But after a dreary showing in the first 45 minutes, Bowen collected Niclas Fullkrug’s pass and curled clinically into the far corner at the end of a swift counter-attack two minutes into the second half.
That led to a spell of West Ham pressure but Southampton kept it at 1-0 and, as the hosts dropped off, Simon Rusk’s men pushed for a leveller.
Substitute Tyler Dibling blazed a glorious chance over the bar late on, and a club record-extending 27th league defeat was imminent before Ugochukwu’s powerful left-foot strike salvaged a point.
Relief for Saints but Hammers frustrate
In what has been a miserable season, Oguchukwu’s goal was a moment of joy for Southampton.
More than just a last-gasp equaliser in a game that looked to have got away from them despite a good performance, there was an enormous amount of relief in the wild celebrations from the away end.
It was a rare moment as players and fans alike revel in a goal they hope will keep their team’s name out of the record books.
Another point is still needed to make sure of that – and should it not come before the end of the season, they may rue missing the opportunities that could have got them all three here – but for now, it is a point to savour.
By contrast, there can have been few more frustrating days for West Ham since Graham Potter took charge.
In glimpses, you can see what the manager wants from his side with quick interchanges between Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Bowen, but they were rare.
Barring a 15-minute spell at the start of the second half, it was all too ponderous from the Hammers.
That it was mixed with carelessness only invited more problems. Southampton were encouraged and as they took control of the game in the second half the hosts failed to respond.
It looked as though they would get away with it – and perhaps a scrappy win is what West Ham need – but eventually they were made to pay.
There may not be much left to play for this season but, with frustration growing, Potter and West Ham cannot afford to simply coast through to its conclusion.
