Julian Dicks saved West Ham from FA Cup embarrassment with an 86th minute equaliser to deny the Weslh underdogs a famous win.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Simon Hill reports from Upton Park

Full-back Dicks struck a speculative 30-yard shot with time running out and Swansea goalkeeper Roger Freestone somehow let the ball squirm under his body and over the line.

It spoiled an otherwise excellent display by Freestone, who made some fine saves to preserve the lead given to the Third Division side by Jason Smith's 61st minute header.

Double blow for Hammers

The Hammers were without Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, both suffering from a flu virus, and Harry Redknapp included 17-year-old prospect Joe Cole among his substitutes.

Swansea made an excellent start with Nick Cusack and Stuart Roberts trying early shots and it took the home side 20 minutes to cause Freestone any serious difficulty.

Julian Dicks celebrates his goal with teamates

Trevor Sinclair tried a lob from the edge of the area which looked to be out of Freestone's reach, but the goalkeeper stretched to turn the ball over the bar.

He followed that by diving at the feet of Ian Wright but the game took an ugly turn in the 35th minute after the England striker was tackled from behind by Jason Smith.

Referee Stephen Lodge awarded the free-kick but there was a bout of pushing and shoving between the players before he showed the yellow card to Wright and teammate Ian Wright.

Swansea scent upset

There were more problems after the re-start as Ian Pearce tussled with Swansea's Martin Thomas by the touchline, but the match official felt a lecture to both players was sufficient.

Roger Freestone catches the ball despite Ian Wright's attentions

Swansea continued to belie their status with some determined play and felt they should have had a penalty when Joanthan Coates went down under challenge from Sinclair.

But they stunned the West Ham fans by taking the lead after 61 minutes when Stuart Roberts whipped in a cross for Smith to beat Shaka Hislop from eight yards.

The goal prompted Harry Redknapp to send Cole on for his first-ever senior appearance and his arrival freshened up the home side.

West Ham teenager Joe Cole salutes the Upton Park faithful

Stan Lazaridis played a short corner to Sinclair in the 79th minute and aimed a shot towards the top corner from the return pass but Freestone palmed it away.

The action switched to the other end when Roberts had an opportunity to seal it but Hislop produced an equally good save and Dicks came up with his rescue act with home fans fearing the worst.

West Ham: Hislop, Potts, Ruddock, Pearce, Dicks, Sinclair, Lomas, Berkovic, Wright, Hartson, Lazaridis. Subs: Forrest, Breacker, Abou, Omoyimni, Cole.

Swansea: Freestone, S. Jones, Howard, Cusack, Smith, Bound, Coates, Thomas, Alsop, Watkin, Roberts. Subs: Bird, J. Jones, Jenkins, Price, O'Leary.