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The point came from an entertaining, neat game, in which Hammers enjoyed the better of possession and chances, but the visitors, defended well, were tenacious in midfield and counter attacked with purpose, exposing and embarrassing England's no1 in two well taken goals.
A word of mention must also go to the travelling 2,136, who throughout vocally backed their heroes on the day and who gave West Ham an atmosphere that would otherwise had been missing if left to the home choristers.
Arthur was back, and how, Chadwick had shaken off his flu bug and the first eleven was something resembling an eleven playing in their preferred positions, with Farrelly, now fit, unable to regain his place as Chaplow continued his impressive run of late.
Returning for Trevor Brooking in his last game in charge were first choice strikers Defoe and Connolly, enough to give Di Branchio and King Arthur serious matters to consider, their skill and movement would cause many a moment of concern.
In what was a tentative first half, played on a cat and mouse basis, the Hammers looked, at times as though they were capable of upping a gear and taking the game, whilst the visitors were at times in awe of their hosts, who they had not met in some twenty two years.
First chance fell to Dailly who missed the goal from close range without so much as a marker to distract him. Approaching the twenty minute mark, Defoe signalled his intentions when, after cutting inside Branch, he created space, but then thankfully shot weakly at Jensen. Moments later the damage was more serious as the Hammers took the lead following a careless pass from Weller that saw possession conceded in a dangerous area.
Connolly seized the ball, fed Defoe, who allowed Jensen to block the one on one, but the parry fell kindly, the defenders failed to react and close down, allowing Connolly to shoot home from close range. Cue home cheers, if nothing on the chants or singing front.
Repka was booked for a hack at Chadwick, before Weller was withdrawn, presumably for tactical reasons, allowing Grantona to enter the fray and who was immediately booked for little more than winning the ball, ref Williamson showing shades of a homer in his decision making at that stage.
Blake had a tame effort easily saved by James, before Defoe posed the threat once again, when, after beating the fragile offside trap, he bore down on Jensen's goal. We expected two-nil, but Jensen was today up to the task in hands and he bravely saved before clearing the ball away, not waiting for Branch to help the ball away as the two collided in defensive duties.
Clarets were paying far too much respect to their hosts and it needed a little inspiration and extra determination to make the game an equal contest. It came from the small package that is Richard Chaplow and his neat skill and turn saw a decent effort saved by James.
Out of nothing came the equaliser. A quick breakaway down Hammers left, saw Ian Moore ride a challenge, then take the ball on to shoot at the exposed David James. The ball looped up and Facey was on hand to make sure and party scenes erupted in the visiting seats, the ground reminded of the Clarets geographical placement in their euphoria.
A minute from the break and it was nearly a second as Ian Moore's pace continued the threat, his cross just eluding the in rushers with Hammers defenders sleeping.
Camara's head took the full force of the dangerous Etherington's shot, but after treatment he was able to continue and like the other ten battlers, deservedly take their standing ovation as they left the field. HT 1-1.
If the first half had been a little quiet, lacking in pace and chances, the second certainly was to change all that and a memorable, enjoyable forty five followed, a reward for the 6 a.m. departure.
Within a minute it was almost disastrous, when, following Chadwick's careless pass, Defoe hit a dipping shot over the beaten Jensen, only for the ball to hit the face of the bar and be cleared before most had returned from the waterless, awful facilities West Ham had to offer.
Five minutes in and Etherington, West Ham's main threat, saw his shot and follow up blocked by Jensen, a corner being conceded from which Dailly was allowed far too much time and space when heading wide from eight yards.
On the counter, Ian Moore was not going to get past a beaten Quinn, who was booked for his body check. West was being tested to the full by the lively Etherington and he needed Moore's support to neutralise the threat, which he provided with good effect.
On the hour, Mellor replaced Quinn as Brooking looked for the win, before Defoe set up Dailly, again allowed too much time and space, before wastefully volleying wide from the corner of the six-yard box.
Dailly was booked for being embarrassingly nutmegged by Moore, much to the amusement of the visiting section, as the game began to swing from end to end in an enthralling last twenty minutes. Defoe went down in a challenge from Branch, the resulting corner hotly contested by all home sections as the ref removed any accusations of homer status.
Jensen, showing a new found confidence in his handling, saw crosses and corners being plucked from the air on many occasions. With the home crowd's frustrations beginning to show, Rob Lee blazed over with the goal at his mercy, as the pressure began to increase on the visiting goal late on.
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There was no time to regain seats, before Clarets did take the lead with only nine minutes remaining. Ian Moore was on hand again and once again broke through the home back line, before putting in a shot that the spread-eagled James blocked. The looping ball was helped into the goal by Moore, despite the efforts of Repka and mass celebrations began in the Centenary End as home fans looked in hope at the stadium clock.
Five minutes from time and Clarets hopes of three unexpected points were dashed. A quickly taken free kick from the half way line caught out Branch who was quickly trying to get close to Dailly, but the kick was precise, Dailly's header across the goal was solid and Hutchison's volley was sweet, the ball hitting the far corner from fifteen yards.
There was still time for both sides to look for a winner in a frenetic last few minutes. First, the tireless Facey crossed following good wing play and Moore was desperately unlucky not to connect from two yards, James thankful just to clutch the ball. Then with seconds left, a close range bundled shot from Defoe went underneath Jensen only to bobble on to the post and back into the arms of the grateful Dane, who had certainly earned his little piece of good fortune.
We all looked to Mr Williamson who duly obliged with his whistle and Clarets left the field to a standing ovation, the near hoarse following letting everyone know that they had enjoyed the performance and their day down in t' smoke. FT: 2-2.
Att:- 31,434
Star Gazer
Paul Weller. Didn't seem up to much in his brief period in play. Whether his departure was down to tactics or injury, the Clarets were certainly improved by the inclusion of Grantona.
Beer Money
Despite the bare bones nature of the squad, its character could not be called into question after this fine, battling display. Here's hoping for additional quality in the coming weeks.
Star Geezer
Richard Chaplow. This award could have gone to the returning and majestic Arthur, or the much maligned Jensen, but another tireless display of tenacity and quality sees the award go to the impressive youngster. On this form long may his inclusion be in the first eleven.
Champagne Tastes
With quality additions to the squad, this could yet be a season to remember for all the right reasons.