Friday 19 August 2016 07:01, UK
Slaven Bilic admitted not being happy after drawing with Astra but is confident West Ham should still progress into the Europa League group stages.
The Hammers went ahead on the stroke of half-time after a handball from Cristian Sapunaru in the box saw Mark Noble convert from the spot.
But Denis Alibec scored an equaliser in the 83rd minute to draw the first-leg tie, and although the Hammers boss was edging towards disappointment, he feels his side can make the group stages during their home leg at the London Stadium next week.
"When you concede late of course you are not happy, especially when you know we had a glorious chance on the counter-attack and we could and should have put the game to bed," he said in a post-match press conference.
"Then we concede after a set-piece, which we had always looked comfortable with. It would be better to be 2-0 or 1-0 up and now next week is an open game.
"But under the circumstances, with the pitch and the team we had out there, it's a good result.
"We should create more on a better pitch, which ours will be. It would have been ideal to win here 5-0 and rest Thursday. But it's okay.
"And the score is very simple - if we can't beat them at home then we shouldn't be in the Europa League!"
Bilic will now prepare his side for Premier League action against Bournemouth on Sunday live on Sky Sports before the second-leg against Astra Giurgiu at the London Stadium on August 25.
