West Ham's European adventure came to a frustrating end on a bad-tempered night at Upton Park. The London club created enough chances to win a hatful of games against Steaua Bucharest but somehow failed to find the net even once.

But the main talking point was fresh controversy surrounding Neil Ruddock just 24 hours after being cleared of any wrongdoing in the Patrick Vieira spitting incident. The West Ham defender appeared to head-butt Steaua Bucharest's Albert Duro after just 16 minutes of a tempestuous first half.

Home players were incensed that Duro had escaped at least a yellow card for a series of fouls including one terrible tackle from behind on the returning Paolo di Canio. And it appeared as if Ruddock decided to take matters in his own hands as Czech referee Lubomir Pucek lost control of the game.

Thankfully the second half was played in a better spirit.

WEST HAM: Hislop, Margas, Ferdinand, Ruddock, Sinclair, Lomas, Lampard, Keller (Kitson 65), Cole, Wanchope, Di Canio. Subs Not Used: Forrest, Foe, Potts, Angus, Carrick, Purches. Booked: Lomas, Margas.

STEAUA BUCHAREST: Ritli, Reghecampf, Miu, Bordeanu, Baciu, Danciulescu (Trica 67), Duro, Lincar (Lacatus 82), Rosu, Ilie, Ciocoiu (Lutu 84). Subs Not Used: Hotoboc, Chiorean, Luca, Iordache. Booked: Reghecampf, Duro, Ciocoiu, Ritli, Lutu.

Attendance: 24,514.

Referee: L Pucek (Poland).