Alex Neil admitted Norwich City squandered a vital Premier League win in a 2-2 draw against West Ham at Carrow Road.

City were heading for a first victory since January 2 when Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan struck in the second half but the Hammers hit back in devastating fashion with Dimitri Payet and Mark Noble scoring twice in two minutes.

Neil conceded ending a run of five consecutive top flight defeats was scant consolation after failing to repel the rampant Hammers.

'When you are 2-0 up you have to see the game out better,' he said. 'We just needed to do the exact same things up to that point when it was 0-0. If anything it should be easier to see the game out because you are defending a lead. I wouldn't say it's a strength of character thing. Perhaps the run we are on you start to over-defend or over-cover in certain situations instead of continuing to do your tasks.

'It is a mixture of emotions today. I think our performance was better compared to recent games. We made a conscious decision to get on the front foot and that served us better. We were full value for a 2-0 lead, we created some good opportunities in the game but the disappointing thing is of course we have let that lead slip.

'We had a chance right at the end with Seb Bassong about five yards out so you can spin it whatever way you want but there is not getting away from the fact when you are 2-0 up at home you have to see the game out. If we can get ourselves into those situations then we have to close the game out. We have stopped that run of defeats but in my line of work you never look backwards. You focus on the next one and based on this performance we should have got three points. I will be disappointed tonight but I have to move onto the next one.'