West Ham United began their public pre-season schedule with a 1-1 draw against National League side Southend United at Roots Hall.
Dinos Mavropanos cancelled out Harry Cardwell’s early penalty shortly before half-time as Nuno Espírito Santo handed minutes to a mixture of senior players and academy prospects.
Southend took the lead after 15 minutes when Kyle Walker-Peters was penalised for a challenge on Josh Popoola. Cardwell converted from the spot, sending Mads Hermansen the wrong way.
West Ham responded with Taty Castellanos seeing an effort blocked before Keiber Lamadrid struck the outside of the post.
Jarrod Bowen and Castellanos also threatened as the visitors began to apply more pressure.
Mavropanos earns West Ham a draw
The equaliser arrived during first-half stoppage time.
Pablo Felipe forced goalkeeper Joe Duncan into a save before Bowen delivered the resulting corner. Mavropanos rose highest and powered his header into the roof of the net.
Bowen twice went close to completing the turnaround after the break. His first effort was saved at the near post before another shot deflected narrowly wide.
Nuno replaced his entire starting XI after 65 minutes, providing opportunities for James Ward-Prowse, Freddie Potts, Lewis Orford and several academy players.
Ward-Prowse forced another save with a curling free-kick, but West Ham could not find a winning goal.
The official West Ham match report confirmed an attendance of 10,462, including 2,753 travelling supporters.
As Read West Ham reported before the match, the fixture gave fans their first opportunity to watch Nuno’s side this summer.
West Ham return to action against League One side Stevenage on Wednesday evening.
