West Ham United captain Mark Noble has admitted that his side should have held on during their Europa League qualifier against Astra Giurgiu this evening.
Noble scored a crucial away goal for his side from the penalty spot in Romania, but Denis Alibec levelled things up seven minutes from time to leave the Hammers with work to do heading into next week's second leg.
It is the second match in a row that West Ham have conceded a costly late goal following Monday's defeat to Chelsea, and Noble admits that there is already pressure to pick up a win in Sunday's match against Bournemouth.
"It is another late goal, just like Monday night. We have another game, we have an away goal but a massive game on Sunday against Bournemouth. We need to get a couple of players back," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
"This is the first week of the season and we travelled a long way, we should have held on. I am pretty sure the second game will be a good one.
"We didn't score from open play tonight, we have to score and win games. It is not ideal if you fly for three hours then an hour-and-a-half to game."
This weekend's match against Bournemouth will be West Ham's first Premier League outing at the Olympic Stadium.
Barney Corkhill
