Everton's Champions League dreams were seriously damaged by Dean Ashton's equaliser as West Ham earned a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.

It could have been even worse for the Toffees in the evening Premier League clash.

In the dying minutes, 18 year-old Freddie Sears saw his stabbed shot hit a post and bounce along the line... and that is how close the Hammers came to a deserved victory.

Everton had started with power and pace, Ayegbeni Yakubu scoring his 19th goal of the season after eight minutes.

But West Ham, who had hit the bar through debutant James Tomkins, were the better side after the break and Ashton headed in off the post from a Lucas Neill right-wing cross for the equaliser on 68 minutes.

Everton find themselves two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who are in action away to Manchester United on Sunday.