LONDON (AFP) - Youth team striker Freddie Sears enjoyed a dream debut with a late winner for West Ham as Alan Curbishley's side ended a run of three successive 4-0 defeats by beating Blackburn 2-1 at Upton Park.

The teenage forward came on as a substitute with 15 minutes left and six minutes later he beat Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel to secure the points for the Hammers.

Roque Santa Cruz had given Rovers the lead in the 20th minute but Dean Ashton levelled before the break and Curbishley's side were good value for a win that will ease the pressure on their manager.

West Ham started out looking like a side that had shipped 12 goals in their last three matches and both Morten Gamst Pedersen and Christopher Samba had failed to hit the target with headers from inviting positions before Santa Cruz showed them how to do it in the 19th minute.

Released down the left by David Bentley, Pedersen sent in a pinpoint cross and the Paraguayan striker comfortably beat Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green.

The goal brought West Ham out of their shell and Brad Friedel did well to touch an Ashton header round the post after Bobby Zamora had got free on the left.

Blackburn's American goalkeeper impressed again by getting a strong hand to Nolberto Solano's dipping effort from a free-kick 30 yards out.

West Ham's determination to get back into the match finally yielded a route-one equaliser five minutes before the interval.

Green launched a huge free-kick upfield, Zamora flicked the ball on and Ashton flicked the ball past Samba then raced round the giant centreback to finish with a delicate chip over the outrushing Friedel.

Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested after that until Ashton got clear on the left and sent in a dangerous cross towards Sears.

The youngster saw his first shot saved by Friedel but he had enough presence of mind to pounce on the rebound and force it over the line with a diving header.