THOMAS Hitzlsperger's late equaliser meant Blackburn Rovers were not quite able to secure their Premier League safety in front of the watching Rao brothers this afternoon.

Rovers looked set to build on last week's win over Bolton with three points against West Ham United at Upton Park after leading for the majority of the game thanks to Jason Roberts' 13th-minute strike.

But, with the club's owners in the stands after travelling from India, Hitzlsperger levelled with 11 minutes left.

Rovers moved above Birmingham into 15th position and remain three points clear of the drop zone, but will feel frustrated that they did not effectively confirm their survival today.

Rovers went into the game without Phil Jones, who joined Michel Salgado and David Dunn on the injury list because of a back spasm, but came close in the opening minute when Morten Gamst Pedersen's 20-yard shot was deflected inches wide.

Pedersen soon had to clear Manuel Da Costa's header off the line in a lively start but it was Rovers who took the lead in the 13th minute when Roberts was able to convert Brett Emerton's fine cross from six yards.

Demba Ba put a header wide when he perhaps should have tested Paul Robinson as West Ham looked for an immediate equaliser and, although Steven Nzonzi fired a shot across goal for Rovers, it was they who were having to produce some resilient defending.

Robinson saved from Freddie Sears and the hosts continued to press after the interval, with Jonathan Spector seeing his effort sail just wide.

But Robert Green was forced to produce a fine stop to keep out Nzonzi's fierce 25-yard drive, although Ba went close again for the Hammers when he headed wide from Carlton Cole's cross.

And West Ham did finally secure an equaliser with 11 minutes left as Cole laid the ball back to Hitzlsperger, who rifled a trademark 20-yard effort beyond the helpless Robinson.

Substitute Roque Santa Cruz headed inches wide for Rovers late on but Robbie Keane had a glorious chance to give the hosts all three points when he failed to convert Frederic Piquionne's cross from five yards.

Chris Samba then produced two fine blocks in the closing stages as West Ham could not find a winner.

Rovers: Paul Robinson; Brett Emerton, Chris Samba, Gael Givet, Martin Olsson; Jermaine Jones, Steven Nzonzi, Morten Gamst Pedersen; Mame Biram Diouf (Ruben Rochina 90), Jason Roberts (Roque Santa Cruz 69), Junior Hoilett (Keith Andrews 69). Subs not used: Mark Bunn, Grant Hanley, Mauro Formica, Benjani.

West Ham: Robert Green; Lars Jacobsen (Frederic Piquionne 63), Manuel Da Costa, Danny Gabbidon, Wayne Bridge; Jonathan Spector, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Luis Boa Morte (Robbie Keane 54); Freddie Sears (Jack Collison 63), Carlton Cole, Demba Ba. Subs not used: Ruud Boffin, James Tomkins, Radoslav Kovac, Zavon Hines.

Referee: Peter Walton.