Scott Parker hailed his side's battling spirt as West Ham twice came from behind to claim a crucial point in the Premier League relegation scrap at Everton.

Manuel da Costa and Ilan both struck in the second half as the Hammers produced a courageous display to end a run of six successive defeats. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov opened the scoring and Ayegbeni Yakubu looked to have won it for the Toffees six minutes from time but the Hammers, who also missed a penalty through Mido, produced their best performance in weeks.

I think we deserved a point. We were much more organised today. I thought we were the better side in the second half.
Scott Parker after the draw with Everton

"You could see at the end how delighted we were," Parker told Sky Sports 1. "Obviously we've had a bad run and a lot has been said in the press but one thing we have got here is togetherness and a good spirit.

"We needed to show a bit of character and that's what we have done. It's a good starting point. It will be tough for the rest of the season but it's something to build on. Hopefully we can pick up from this," he continued. "I think we deserved a point. We were much more organised today. I thought we were the better side in the second half."

Bad timing for ban
Parker was booked for a late challenge on Tim Cahill in the first half and must now serve a two-match ban for reaching 10 yellow cards. West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola admitted the loss of Parker will be keenly felt over the next two weeks but nothing could dent his pride in his players.

They made it hard for us with a lot of people behind the ball and we just didn't have enough to break them down.
David Moyes after his side let the lead slip twice

"Scott Parker is an important player but I'm sure that the others will run and fight hard to make sure his absence is not too big," he said. "We decided to fight until the end and today was a clear demonstration that we kept our promise because we never gave up. At 2-1, it could have been a massive blow but we reacted and it was brilliant. I'm very pleased with my team today. If you have that kind of attitude, you have no regrets. It has been a great day for us. I think it will give a lot of confidence to the players and that will be very important for the next matches."

Missed opportunities
Everton manager David Moyes was adamant that his side should have had a penalty when Louis Saha went down under a Da Costa challenge. "I think that was a crucial moment," he said. "That happens doesn't it? We've seen some poor decisions this weekend, haven't we?

"We've played better this season but we looked as though not playing great we were going to win the game, but it was not to be. I don't think either team did enough to worry the goalkeepers," Moyes added. "I have to give West Ham credit, though. They made it hard for us with a lot of people behind the ball and we just didn't have enough to break them down."