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"We are disappointed that we can't get our first victory," said a defiant Glenn Roeder.
"The players put everything they could into this game, and our performances have deserved better. We've got to look at the positives and there was something here today to build upon."
The Hammers desperately needed to kick-start their season against Kevin Keegan's side who were without a point from their travels.
Twice in the opening 15 minutes the lively Joe Cole carved through the City defence, before seeing his shots blocked by Peter Schmeichel and the outstanding Sylvain Distin.
Midway through the half the menacing Nicolas Anelka, who had constantly been hindered by a string of offside flags, responded with a stinging 30-yarder which bounced off David James's ribcage.
As play continued flow from end to end both Trevor Sinclair and Scott Minto went close, while Schmeichel bravely plucked the ball off Frederic Kanoute's studs to keep it goalless at the break.
Ten minutes after the re-start, Anelka should have broken the deadlock when he burst clear of Gary Breen, but James somehow steered the frustrated Frenchman's low shot wide with his outstretched left leg. And moments later Shaun Wright-Phillips went close with a low 25-yarder.
As the clock ticked down, Roeder made a double switch with the introduction of Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe. But on a day when both sides' defences were marginally better than their attacks, their arrival came far too late to conjure up the winner that would have prised West Ham out of bottom spot.
"You wouldn't have bet on a 0-0," smiled Keegan, on a day when any winning wagers were on his horse Funfair Wane who had trotted up to win the Ayr Gold Cup.
"Both sides looked short of confidence, so I'm delighted with our first away point because it could prove the acorn from which the oak tree will grow."