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Curbishley's side were making hard work of seeing off Coca-Cola Championship outfit Plymouth at Upton Park until Ashton lashed home a 20-yard volley in the 91st minute to secure a 1-0 win.

The England hopeful made it three goals in three games since recovering from a broken ankle, and with Emile Heskey and Michael Owen out injured, is putting forward a strong case to be named in Steve McClaren's next squad.

"We always knew this was going to be a difficult game," said Curbishley.

"Plymouth are well organised and they have a settled side and they made it very difficult for us.

"They'll be upset that they've got done in the last minute but that's cup football.

"Dean got stronger as the game went on, and I was thinking that if we do get a chance, I hope it falls to him."

Argyle gave the West Ham rearguard one or two sticky moments, with Peter Halmosi and Akos Buzsaky going close.

But with extra-time looming, young substitute Kyel Reid made one final run down the left and crossed for Ashton to rifle home.

"I'm not thinking about England at the moment, I'm just happy he's playing for West Ham again," added Curbishley.

"I asked him about tonight and he said he wanted to play. It was a tough game for everyone out there, but he came through it."

Plymouth manager Ian Holloway was even more enthused about the former Crewe and Norwich frontman, only now back to fitness after breaking his ankle on England duty last August.

"From a personal point of view, given we haven't got what we wanted here - which was to win - then it's great to see Ashton back.

"I'm an England supporter and it's great to see him fit again. We all know what a long, hard road it is to get fit after something like that so it's great to see your good players fit and scoring.

"We want our good players playing well - although I could have knocked him out when he did that."

Holloway admitted he was proud of his side, who had to soak up almost constant West Ham pressure after the interval and still managed to threaten on the counter-attack.

"The best thing I can say is that some of my players out there would not have looked out of place in a West Ham shirt," he added.

"But that's life, life's hard. We're the bridesmaid again, and never the bride.

"We tried to 'bad rash' them. That's one of my sayings, we were all over them like a bad rash, and nappy rash is hard to get rid of.

"I'm very proud of my players, and hopefully we have earned some respect."

Curbishley, who gave a debut to summer signing Scott Parker following two months out with a knee injury, also revealed striker Bobby Zamora will be out for a month after having knee surgery today.

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