Once a popular figure at the ground, the Australia full-back had to endure taunts from first touch to last.

Neill was visibly stunned by the hostile reception he received at a club he helped into the UEFA Cup this season.

He decided to move to Upton Park in January despite being linked to Liverpool and some Blackburn fans have never forgiven him.

"I was disgusted with the reception I got," he said. "I had five-and-a-half years at the club.

"I was always committed to Blackburn and never complained about anything.

"Then when I want to further myself, I get that kind of reception.

"People have come here for six months, a year, not tried hard and walked away with a pay-off.

"Here's me, who has tried his heart out, getting a reception like that. I am very disappointed."

The bonus for Neill was that the Hammers chalked up their first away win on the road in the Barclays Premiership and moved off the bottom of the table.

Substitute Bobby Zamora scored 15 minutes from time as the club ended a run of five successive league defeats.

After consulting his assistant Jim Devine, referee Howard Webb allowed the striker's effort to stand, even though the ball did not appear to cross the line and his team-mate Carlos Tevez was in an offside position.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was incensed with that decision and the one that led to Tevez equalising from the penalty spot after a challenge from Brett Emerton.

Hughes has seen his side take the lead through Christopher Samba's first goal for the club and everything appeared to be going to plan before Tevez and Zamora made their mark.

To cap a miserable day for Blackburn, David Bentley will miss the match against Manchester United on March 31 after picking up a second yellow card.

The defeat derailed their UEFA Cup bid and Hughes said: "I am absolutely astounded by the decision to give a goal.

"When I went to see the video, the guy who cleared it was their man. He is clearly offside and interfering with play.

"Why the hell officials can't get that right I have no idea.

"He (the assistant referee) was able to see through two goalposts and a 6ft 3ins goalkeeper and able to judge the ball was over the line.

"Referees are sometimes being undermined by their assistants. They have too much of an influence."

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley accepted that Zamora's shot had not crossed the line.

He also believes there is a case for video technology but still has reservations about such a step.

"It is where we start and where we finish (that concerns me)" said Curbishley.

"Goal line incidents, fine, we can do something about that and perhaps penalties.

"Other decisions, I am not so sure about. I do not know where you stop."

Curbishley remains confident his side can get out of trouble and he is already targeting a second straight win against Middlesbrough at the end of the month.

He said: "If we could get successive wins that would give us a massive lift and put pressure on the teams above us.

"It is not over yet by any means are there are a lot of games to go."