BOSS Simon Grayson paid tribute to his Leeds United players after they “dug deep” to snatch a late leveller in their npower Championship clash with West Ham.

The Hammers were leading 2-1 heading into the final minute at Upton Park but, just as they had in their opening-day defeat by Cardiff, they were defending deeper and deeper and were punished when Adam Clayton grabbed a dramatic equaliser.

Grayson believes United preyed on the home side’s nerves in the latter stages to claim a 2-2 draw.

He said: “It’s not easy being the favourites for the division, everybody wants to beat you, we had it in League One.

“You could sense that nervousness creeping in, but you have to deal with it. But full credit to my players, we dug deep and a draw was the very least we deserved.”

Hammer boss Sam Allardyce blamed the “fear factor”.

“When you are 2-1 up at home you have to take responsibility for seeing the game out,” said Allardyce.

“You don’t put pressure on yourself and unfortunately we did. We don’t do what needs to be done to get the result, we’ve lacked the professionalism.”

West Ham took the lead from a corner in the sixth minute when Carlton Cole volleyed past Andy Lonergan.

Leeds won a penalty in the 28th minute when Matt Taylor controlled the ball with his arm in the box but Max Gradel, the subject of a failed bid from West Ham earlier in the summer, rolled his effort wide.

Leeds finally drew level in the 59th minute when Robert Snodgrass’ cross found McCormack in front of goal, but three minutes later the hapless Patrick Kisnorbo thumped Julien Faubert’s cross into his own net.

West Ham should have gone further ahead but Scott Parker hit a post.

And the inevitable happened as stoppage time approached. Snodgrass raided down the right again, Jonathan Howson’s shot hit the underside of the crossbar and Clayton followed up to fire past Robert Green.