Viviane Asseyi scored a late equaliser as West Ham held on to rescue a valuable point from Sunday afternoon’s 1-1 Women’s Super League draw against Manchester United at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Rachel Williams opened the scoring for the visitors in the fourth minute before Asseyi claimed the equaliser that dented United’s hopes of securing the final Champions League spot.

The away side began on the front foot and took an early lead as club captain Katie Zelem capitalised on West Ham goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s misplaced pass and she managed to square the ball to Williams, who tapped into the bottom corner for her 50th goal in the WSL.

West Ham almost equalised against the run of play when Katrina Gorry tried her luck form outside the penalty area and launched an ambitious effort, but goalkeeper Mary Earps pulled off an outstanding save to prevent a leveller.

The Red Devils came close to doubling their tally with another goalscoring opportunity but Maya Le Tissier’s shot from 20 yards went straight into the hands of Arnold.

And, on the stroke of half-time, former Chelsea full-back Hannah Blundell’s sublime cross found Williams – in search of a brace – but her looping header forced Arnold to produce a fingertip save at the far post.

Marc Skinner’s side continued their dominance at the start of the second half, with Ella Toone trying her luck from 18 yards in a chance that went straight to Arnold.

A good attempt for the hosts to reply fell to Japan international Honoka Hayashi and she found herself in a good position, but her shot was superbly blocked by the United defence.

The Red Devils pressed forward as they regained possession and substitute Lisa Naalsund executed a dangerous cross, but Lucia Garcia failed to meet the possible assist as they looked to double their advantage.

At the other end, France forward Asseyi found herself in acres of space as she managed to cut inside and attempted a left-footed shot that went wide of the post.

With 10 minutes remaining, the visitors came close again as Garcia launched a bursting run but her curling shot towards goal sailed narrowly wide.

The hosts equalised in the 85th minute when Emma Snerle played a sublime through ball into the path of Asseyi, who lobbed it past United keeper Earps and into the back of the net.

In stoppage time, Arnold was immediately called into action after producing an impressive stop that denied Garcia’s left-footed shot from outside the box.

Moments later, a potential mix-up in the Hammers’ midfield almost gifted Williams the winning goal after Arnold tried to run back to clear the danger.

The 36-year-old forward failed to slot the ball into an empty net as the spoils were shared.